Evan Rachel Wood cast in Spider-Man musical
Evan Rachel Wood, one of the most respected young actresses today, will make her Broadway debut as Mary Jane Watson in Julie Taymor’s Spider-Man musical. In an exclusive report at IESB, Wood confirmed she will portray the model with rehearsals beginning in June 2009.
Ironically, Evan lost out to Kirsten Dunst, who plays MJ in the movies, for the child lead in Interview with the Vampire.
She also said the producers are at work on actor Jim Sturgess to take on the lead. Wood said they are, "still trying to convince him." Both displayed their singing skills in Taymor’s Across the Universe, which was released last year.
The musical will also feature Norman Osborn/Green Goblin and Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson. Playbill in 2007 also listed the following parts:
The character breakdowns provide some insight to plot points as the character Arachne ("female, 20-35 years old, any ethnicity") is described as "a beautiful, boastful young woman turned into a spider for her hubris and lack of respect for the gods. She subsequently appears to Peter Parker and the audience as in turn a powerful spider-woman who comes from another time to inspire Peter; an otherworldly lover; a bride; a terrifying (and sexy) dark goddess of vengeance; a dance partner in a charged and violent spiders dance of death; and, finally, a lonely, fragile young woman." Casting is seeking a "strong Celtic, Balkan style, e.g., Sinead O’Connor," noting, "outside the box ideas are welcomed. Could be someone from the music industry."
Also, a "Geek Chorus" consisting of "three teenage boys and one girl" are described to "meet to ritualistically retell the greatest Spider-Man stories.
Bono and The Edge of U2 are providing the music and lyrics for the musical which is likely to debut in 2010. The book is from Taymor and Glen Berger (Underneath The Lintel) which had a reading in New York in July 2007.
Matthias "Teese" Gohl (Frida) will serve as musical supervisor.
On a related note, Alicia Silverstone, the former Batgirl, returns to the stage in the world premiere of Donald Margulies’ Time Stands Still. According to Variety, the cast also includes Anna Gunn (Deadwood), David Harbour (Quantum of Solace) and Robin Thomas (Damages).
have they finished casting actors???what about auditions….?does anyone know????how would i find out if they were holding auditions?
The character breakdowns provide some insight to plot points as the character Arachne ("female, 20-35 years old, any ethnicity") is described as "a beautiful, boastful young woman turned into a spider for her hubris and lack of respect for the gods. She subsequently appears to Peter Parker and the audience as in turn a powerful spider-woman who comes from another time to inspire Peter; an otherworldly lover; a bride; a terrifying (and sexy) dark goddess of vengeance; a dance partner in a charged and violent spiders dance of death; and, finally, a lonely, fragile young woman." Casting is seeking a "strong Celtic, Balkan style, e.g., Sinead O'Connor," noting, "outside the box ideas are welcomed. Could be someone from the music industry." Wow! That sounds like it's going to suck!
Look, Taymor isn't completely unfamiliar with Spider-Man, but you know hiring her that it's going to be a bit avant-garde. The question is how do we get to a point where it can succeed both as Spider-Man story and as musical. It ain't easy, ask Joss Whedon.