Julie Taymor to 'Step Down' From 'Spider-Man,' Says Producer

By PopEater Staff Posted Mar 9th 2011 03:10PM

Julie Taymor's $65 million Broadway mega-production 'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark' has hit (a lot of) snags. And now, producers are telling the crew that she has "stepped down" even though she's still in negotiations about her contractual terms.

"Taymor is out. She's left the building," the source told The Daily News. The show's opening night, March 15, is reportedly being delayed -- for the fifth time.

It is unclear who will step in for the Tony Award-winning director, but Christopher Ashley ('Memphis,' 'Xanadu,' 'The Rocky Horror Show') and Philip McKinley ('The Boy from Oz') have been rumored to replace her.

The news comes just days after speculation about her departure first surfaced.

According to BroadwayWorld, the show's producers Michael Cohl and Jere Harris sent out an e-mail last week to the cast and crew that thanked them cast for their patience, support and dedication during "trying times." It also added that they'd be "making some very difficult choices by the middle of next week."

The technically challenging 'Spider-Man' has cost $65 million, twice as much as any Broadway show in history. Plus, the cast's high-flying aerial stunts have already resulted in four cast injuries. Taymor continues to be criticized for the show's on-set injuries.

For now, the show will likely be delayed again, possibly to June 2011. A delay past April 28 would make it ineligible for this year's Tony Awards.

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