Three months after its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” is finally nearing a distribution deal. Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate and LD Entertainment are in final talks to take domestic rights on director Bill Condon’s adaptation of the stage musical of the same name, ensuring the Jennifer Lopez-starring drama will see the light of day, an individual with knowledge told TheWrap.
Terms of the deal, including release plans and financial figures, were not disclosed.
The Artists Equity-produced film came into Sundance as one of the festival’s buzzier titles due to its cast and pedigree – Condon was behind acclaimed titles like “Chicago” and “Gods and Monsters” — but it drew mixed reviews at its premiere and major buyers like Netflix passed.
The movie, written and directed by Condon, follows the story of the stage musical closely as it chronicles the relationship between queer hairdresser Luis (Tonatiuh) and a Marxist named Valentin (Diego Luna) imprisoned in Argentina during 1981’s Dirty War. To pass the time, Luis recounts the story of the film “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” with colorful musical numbers sprinkled throughout as Lopez fills the starring role in the movie within the film.
“Kiss of the Spider Woman” is not the only film to get a late pickup out of this year’s record-slow Sundance. Molly Gordon’s well-reviewed comedy “Oh Hi” went to Sony Pictures Classics earlier this month.
Roadside recently released “The Last Showgirl” and will next open the Nicolas Cage film “The Surfer” in May.
