I’ve Been Saying For Years That U2 Should Write a Musical About Spiderman

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “it’s a damn shame that, in the current musical theatre spectrum, no massive rock n’ roll band has stepped forward to write a musical about Spiderman.” Don’t deny it. I can read your thoughts. 

Consider your prayers answered. Bono and The Edge opened up to Rolling Stone about their upcoming show “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark.” It’s no longer a rumor. Oh no. There’s a website and everything. And we all know that a website makes things official. 

Apparently The Edge sees the Peter Parker story as a parallel to the rock stardom experience. And Bono, probably, likes Doctor Octopus because they wear the same kind of sunglasses. But I think we can all agree on one thing: the Green Goblin will bring down the house with his showstopping number “I Am Out of Bombs (To Throw at You).”

On one hand, I’d say that although this an odd teaming, it does have legs. u2 can fill a football stadium, so why not a 700-seat theatre on Broadway? On the other hand, however, it seems like — on paper, at least — a gross micalculation of audience interest. I’d wager to say that the same crowd who lines up for A Chorus Line isn’t first in line for Wolverine. 

What do you guys think? Obviously, U2’s pretty good at turning everything they touch into gold. Will Venom be as terrifying with jazz hands? And will this be a massive flop or a huge success, spurring other artists to take on the genre? Because I think the Gin Blossoms could really soar with Hawkman.

Link: U2’s Bono and the Edge Talk “Spider-Man” Musical (Rolling Stone)