SPIDER-MAN...the nail in the coffin? Taymor takes script — Page 2

If Taymor can take the script, then she has much better lawyers than the producers. They paid her for the script and should own it. But, I gather there must be something in the contract that might let her exercise some veto power over her script.

I haven't seen the show - and I have read and collected comic books for .... um.... a real long time. I know little of the actual story on stage but I think as a stage show that the device of Arachne sounded interesting. I like the idea of taking Spider-Man and making him more mythic. The idea that Arachne picks Peter Parker is intriguing. What I would do is to have Arachne trying to manipulate Peter Parker so Arachne can have her thousands year old revenge on Athena. First Parker has to prove himself worthy and has challenges that prepare him for that final battle to either get revenge on Athena or to release Arachne from her thousands year old curse. In that setting, the Goblin could be Athena's champion. Other villains can come and go quicly - because they are merely challenges for the final set-up. Then the grand finale is the resolution where Parker refuses to be Arachne's stooge and refuses to exact revenge - probably based on the influence of Mary Jane. Arachne either does an Applegate finish or has her own change of heart - and Aphordite appears to change Arachne back. But, Parker gets to keep his powers - and has a triumphant flight around the theatre yelling "yahoo" or some such with the big landing on stage as in the video clips.

I would really hate to see the weaving scene get cut. I just don't think she's in a position to be doing this. I really hope this will work out so they can keep some of the good stuff from her script. This is all still in negotiation thou, so nothing is for sure yet.

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This reminds me of when David Merrick stole the charts of "Meadow Lark" from the all the music stands in the pit when THE BAKER'S WIFE was having its problems.

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Arachne really 'isn't' in the comic books in that she's a character. She's MENTIONED on the first page of Ultimate Spider-man #1. I'm looking at the thing right now. It's just a spider that Norman Osborn is holding and he's saying,

"THE STORY GOES THAT ATHENA- YOU KNOW ATHENA, RIGHT? SEEMS SHE HEARD THERE WAS THIS WOMAN ON EARTH- A MERE MORTA, LIKE YOU AND ME- WHO HAPPENED TO BE A BETTER SPINSTRESS THAN SHE WAS. ATHENA WASN'T TOO HAPPY TO HEAR THIS AND SHE CAME DOWN TO EARTH AND DESTROYED THE WOMAN'S CREATIONS. WHEN THIS MORTAL GIRL SAW WHAT HAD HAPPENED- THAT SHE HAD INSULTED THE GODS AND THAT HER LIFE'S WORK HAD BEEN DESTROYED- SHE HANGED HERSELF.ATHENA TOOK PITY ON THIS POOR GIRL, AND TOUCHED HER ON THE FOREHEAD WITH A MAGIC LIQUID AND SAID: "YOU SHALL NOT DIE, ARACHNE. INSTEAD YOU SHALL BE TRANSFORMED AND WEAVE YOUR WEB FOREVER."

So, she's not the character Taymor created. She's merely referenced in her mythic self. If you want to read into it and say the spider Norman is petting is Arachne, fine. But she doesn't talk or sing or want to have sex with Peter (who in the Ultimates is like 15, so ew).

It would be an interesting legal decision that could be made on whether Taymor really 'owns' the characters of Arachne and the Furies. Personally, I'd love to see it play out so we could see!

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"If Taymor can take the script, then she has much better lawyers than the producers. They paid her for the script and should own it. But, I gather there must be something in the contract that might let her exercise some veto power over her script."

(Though I am not a Broadway producer) if the producers owned the script then that would leave them to making changes, and it would not give her power to make changes. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I THINK that's how it works...

^ I agree. Incorporating Arachne and Greek mythology into the story is a thrilling and original idea that adds a whole new dimension to the story.

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Michael Bennett, I agree. I was only interested when Arachne was onstage or someone was flying. But, at the same time, Arachne's stuff was, to me at least, also the most frustratingly bad.

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perhaps this is just a PR move so the show can chuck the script completely, and make it.... decent. Add in Harry Osborn, ditch the southern drawl on Norman, make Uncle Ben matter, ya know stuff like that.

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I'd imagine that it's possible that Taymor never thought she'd have to separate her roles as writer and director.

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I don't think she foresaw such events in the slightest.

I don't think she'll take the script. The most important part of Reidel column points out she's holding it ransom for money.

To be fired so publicly is pretty embarrassing and she's looking to soften the blow with a cushion of cash.

If the producers are not wise enough to make peace with JT (and their track record is not good), her signature is over a huge amount of the physical production. There is no way they could extract her work and start afresh in the time they've given themselves.

Can they not do anything right?

She DID work on the damn thing for 10 years (good or bad) - cut her some slack!
robjohn