Spike Lee Announces Musical Film About Viagra

Legendary filmmaker Spike Lee, who is known for making movies about the Black community in the U.S., is set to direct his first-ever musical movie on the subject of Viagra, Pfizer’s erectile dysfunction drug.

The movie’s screenplay, based on David Kushner’s Esquire article titled “All Rise: The Untold Story of the Guys Who Launched Viagra,” was written by Lee and Kwame Kwei-Armah and is going to feature original songs by Stew Stewart and Heidi Rodewald, Deadline first reported.

Stewart and Rodewald are known for writing the 2008 Tony-award winning rock musical “Passing Strange” that was about a Black artist’s journey of self-discovery. On the other hand, Kwei-Armah has directed theater productions like “Tree” and “Twelfth Night.”

Lee and Matt Jackson will be producing the movie from their respective banners. Joanne Lee and Kushner will be serving as executive producers .

Speaking about the project, the “Da 5 Bloods” helmer said that his mother is quite excited after hearing that he is directing a musical. Lee also revealed that he never liked musicals when he was younger.

“Finally Going Into My 4th Decade As A Filmmaker I Will Be Directing A DANCIN’, ALL SINGIN’ MUSICAL,” Deadline quoted Lee, as saying.

Social media went berserk as soon as the news surfaced online, and the netizens had a lot to say about the upcoming project. Many people shared hilarious memes while others just applauded the filmmaker for tackling such a “hard” subject.

“It’s happening. The renaissance is beginning and the pandemic is not even over,” @Drew_Simon_ wrote.

“Spike is an innovator. Nothing is too hard for him,” @chrisvanjura tweeted.

Kushner also reacted to the news and was pretty amazed that his article is being turned into a musical. “So… the Viagra story I wrote for @esquire is being turned into a Spike Lee musical,” he wrote.

Lee started his career in 1979 with a short movie titled “Last Hustle in Brooklyn.” In 1989, he was nominated for an Oscar in the best screenplay category for the movie “Do The Right Thing.” The director’s filmography includes movies like “Malcolm X,” “Clockers,” “Inside Man,” “Oldboy,” and “BlacKkKlansman.”