Spike Lee to direct musical on how Viagra was discovered

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.