Spike Lee is trying his hands on an unconventional project after it was announced the veteran filmmaker is set to direct a musical on how the groundbreaking and popular erectile dysfunction medicine, Viagra, was created.
According to Deadline, the upcoming project, which the 63-year-old co-wrote alongside British-Ghanaian filmmaker Kwame Kwei-Armah is based on David Kushner’s 2018 article for Esquire titled: All Rise: The Untold Story of The Guys Who Launched Viagra.
Kushner’s piece delved into how global pharmaceutical giant Pfizer coincidentally struck gold when researchers discovered an initial medication for heart-related chest pain they were working on rather had the potency to work wonders “down south.” Since its creation, the highly sought-after blue pill has evolved into a $3-billion-a-year industry.
The songs for the musical will be written by Stew Stewart and Heidi Rodewald, while the project will be co-produced by Matt Jackson’s Jackson Pictures and Spike Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. In a statement to Deadline about the project, an enthusiastic Spike Lee said:
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 A 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.
