It would appear that legendary filmmaker Spike Lee is working on a new project, and this time, his growing roster of films is set to include a new movie musical about the history of Viagra - the groundbreaking erectile dysfunction-saving drug - and the ways it's impacted the sex lives of men globally.
The film will take form in a musical, and is reportedly inspired by an Esquire article titled "All rise: The Untold Story of the guys who launched Viagra" which was published in 2018 and written by David Kushner, telling the origin story and development of the drug. Viagra was initially launched by American pharmaceutical company Pfizer - which is en route to having the second best COVID-19 vaccine in the world at the moment - and became a billion dollar industry for the small blue pill.
The script for the upcoming musical will be co-written by Lee alongside British playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah. The productions music, which will be an imperative part of the film is set to be led by Mark Stewart and Heidi Rodewald. The film will be helmed by Entertainment One.
In a statement to Variety, Lee commented: “First And Foremost, I Thank Ms. Jacquelyn Shelton Lee. I Thank My Late Mother For As She Would Say Taking “My Narrow,Rusty Behind” Dragging, Kickin’ And Screamin’ To The Movies When I Wuz A Nappy Headed Kid Growing Up In Da Streets Of Da People’s Republic Of Brooklyn. I Did Not Want To See Corny People Singin’ And Dancin’. I Instead Wanted To Play With My Friends On Da Block, Stoop Ball, Stick Ball, Punch Ball, Soft Ball, Basketball, 2 Hand Touch, Tackle Football, Coco Leevio, Johnny On Da Pony, Hot, Peas And Butter, Crack Top, Down Da Sewer And Of Course-Booty’s Up. All The Great New York City Street Games That Might Be Sadly Lost Forever. My Father, Bill Lee, Jazz/Folk Bassist, Composer HATED HollyWeird Movies, Henceforth And What Not, Me Being The Eldest Of 5 Children I Became Mommy’s Movie Date. She Was A Cinefile. Thank You Lawdy She Didn’t Listen To My Ongoing Complaints About Musicals. So Finally Going Into My 4th Decade As A Filmmaker I Will Be Directing An DANCIN’, ALL SINGIN’ MUSICAL Spike Lee Joint And I Can’t Wait. My Moms Has Been Waiting TOO!!! And Dats Da Rodgers And Hammerstein Truth, Ruth.”
Thank you Spike, for the only words that could get me excited for a musical, we'll be waiting for more details with more fervour than you could probably believe.
