Spider-Man Producers Reach Settlement with Original Director Julie Taymor

The producers of Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark have reached a settlement with the show's original director/choreographer Julie Taymor and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society regarding all pending litigation between the parties. 8 Legged Productions LLC, the company behind Spider-Man, has agreed to pay Taymor full royalties for her director services for the New York production of Spider-Man, from the inception of the run through its duration. The parties also reached agreement with regard to compensation owed for subsequent possible productions of the musical. Taymor’s services are completed, and she will have no further involvement with the show in the capacities of director or collaborater. All claims of breach by the parties in the arbitration have been withdrawn.

“We are very happy to have reached an amicable compromise with the SDC that will allow us all to move on,” said lead Spider-Man producers Michael Cohl and Jeremiah Harris in a joint statement. “Now we can focus our energies on providing an amazing entertainment experience for our audiences, who have come to see the show in record numbers and made it a tremendous hit. We hope to be able to employ many talented theater professionals, including SDC members, for years to come.”

Taymor, who also co-wrote the original book of the musical, filed a lawsuit on November 8, 2011, against the production for violating her rights by continuing to use her work without compensation. In March 2011, four months into the musical's preview period, Taymor and original choreographer Daniel Ezralow departed the musical, and were replaced by creative consultant Philip William McKinley and choreographer Chase Brock, who helped revamp the show before it opened on June 14, 2011. On January 11, the Spider-Man producers filed a countersuit against Taymor. 

Karen Azenberg, President of the SDC, also released a statement saying, “We are pleased to resolve our issues with the producer of Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark and to welcome it into our collective bargaining partnership. It has employed four of our members (Julie Taymor, Daniel Ezralow, Philip McKinley and Chase Brock) and the success of the show is in our mutual interest. The litigation between us is over, and we are hopeful that any remaining issues between the producer and Ms. Taymor regarding her role as author can also be resolved to the satisfaction of all.”

The producers also withdrew recent litigation filed that challenged the SDC’s jurisdiction in the case.