It appears that director Julie Taymor could be out as director of the Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark if she doesn’t agree to work with a newly expanded team to fix problems with the troubled $65 million musical. The New York Times is reporting that no decisions have been made yet, but Taymor along with Bono and The Edge are in the midst of discussions about how drastic the changes to the musical will have to be. Still in doubt is the role of playwright/comic book writer Roberto Aguirre-Sarcasa, who may or may not have a chance to rework the book for the musical’s weak second act.

 

If Taymor’s status and the extent of changes to the most previewed show in American theatrical history remain in doubt, one thing appears certain—Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark will not open on March 15th. Typically critics are asked to review a show right before it opens and invitations to the pre-opening critics’ performances are usually sent out two weeks in advance. The opening of the Spider-Man musical has already been delayed five times, and it appears increasingly apparent that a sixth postponement is inevitable with some reports suggesting that the opening will be postponed for another 3 months.

 

Something else that is not in doubt is the fact that posters and artwork for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark will be greatly improved now that artist Greg Horn has been hired to upgrade the level of graphics for the Spidey musical. At least the show will have great posters when it opens.