Photo credit: movieweb.com
The film adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, featuring a notable performance by Jennifer Lopez and directed by Bill Condon, received enthusiastic reviews during its premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Following the festival, updates about the film’s distribution had been sparse, but recent developments suggest a significant opportunity for the project ahead, especially in light of its potential during the awards season.
According to reports from Deadline, studios including Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate, and LD Entertainment are in discussions to secure the domestic distribution rights for Kiss of the Spider Woman. While the specifics are still being finalized, early indications point towards a positive outcome for this eagerly anticipated film. International sales are being managed by Stuart Ford’s AGC at the European Film Market (EFM), with WME and CAA Media Finance overseeing the representation of U.S. rights.
‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ Has Earned Rave Reviews & Oscar Buzz
Following its premiere at Sundance, Kiss of the Spider Woman quickly garnered Oscar chatter, especially concerning Lopez’s strong supporting role and the performance of newcomer Tonatiuh Elizarraraz in his leading debut. Condon, an experienced director familiar with adaptations of musicals, previously helmed successful films like Dreamgirls and Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast. He also received an Academy Award nomination for his adaptation of Chicago, which won the Oscar for Best Picture.
Lopez’s role in the film has become a major talking point, with many critics forecasting a likely nomination for Best Supporting Actress due to her portrayal of Ingrid Luna, a character significant to the journey of Tonatiuh’s character, Luis Molina. Within the confines of their prison cell, Luis attempts to uplift ValentÃn (played by Diego Luna) with vibrant tales of Ingrid and the musicals she starred in, which are vividly brought to life through Lopez’s performance.
This project represents a pivotal moment for Lopez, who has previously been overlooked for an Oscar nomination despite acclaim for her work in 2019’s Hustlers. Her involvement in Kiss of the Spider Woman could reignite interest from Academy voters, especially given the film’s favorable reception at Sundance, where it currently boasts an impressive rating of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Roadside Attractions appears to be a suitable choice for this film’s release, drawing from their recent successes, such as their handling of Gia Coppola’s The Last Showgirl at the Toronto Film Festival, which generated significant buzz for its lead, Pamela Anderson, leading to multiple award nominations. Their proven track record indicates that they can effectively manage an awards season campaign, even for a project with the scale of Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Source: Deadline
Release Date: January 26, 2025
Runtime: 128 minutes
Director: Bill Condon
Writers: Bill Condon, Manuel Puig
Producers: Barry Josephson, Ben Affleck, Benny Medina, Diego Luna, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Jennifer Lopez, Kevin Halloran, Matt Damon, Sam Weisman, Greg Yolen, Michael Joe, Tom Kirdahy, Pamela Thur, Dani Bernfeld
Cast
Tonatiuh Elizarraraz as Luis Molina
Source
movieweb.com