The next Spike Lee Joint will be about Viagra, yes, the Pfizer drug to treat erectile dysfunction.
Lee has signed on to direct an untitled movie musical about the real-life story behind the launch of the drug, Entertainment Weekly reported Tuesday.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker, whose credits include Do the Right Thing, BlacKkKlansman and Da 5 Bloods, will co-write the script with British playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah.
Related Story: Spike Lee to Be Honored With American Cinematheque Award at Virtual Event
In a statement, Lee thanked his late mom for introducing him to movie musicals and he paid homage to famed Broadway writing team Rodgers and Hammerstein.
“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,” he said. “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.”
The film will be based on David Kushner’s Esquire article titled “All Rise: The Untold Story of the Guys Who Launched Viagra.”
The movie version will include original songs and music by Stew Stewart and Heidi Rodewald.
Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks and Matt Jackson’s Jackson Pictures will produce the Entertainment One film. Joanne Lee and Kushner are executive producers.
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