Julie Taymor and the producers of the Broadway show "Spider-man: Turn off the Dark" have reached an agreement in a copyright dispute that stemmed from the show's troubled debut.
According to a spokesperson for Taymor and the producers, the terms of the settlement were not made public. The two parties were supposed to go to court on May 27th but the settlement averts the trial.
Taymor, the producers released a joint statement in which they stated, "All claims between all of the parties in the litigation have been resolved. We're pleased to have reached an agreement and hope for the continued success of Spider-Man, both on Broadway and beyond." The added were "happy to put all this behind us."
After Taymor was fired from the show, the director filed a lawsuit accusing 8 Legged Productions, the production company of lead producers Michael Cohl and Jeremiah Harris, and Glen Berger, her former co-author, of infringing on her copyright by retaining much of her original libretto in what was described as a revamped production following her dismissal.
The director asked for unpaid royalties and damages that exceeded $1 million and asked for a permanent injunction which would prevent the producers from mounting the musical beyond Broadway without her consent.
She sought unpaid royalties and damages that she estimated exceeded $1 million and asked for a permanent injunction preventing the producers from mounting or licensing the musical beyond Broadway without her consent.
The producers however countersued, saying her claims were baseless.
"Spider-Man" got off to a rocky start in 2010 after actors were injured during high-wire stunts and the opening night was postponed. The show was also received to critical ridicule. "Spider-Man" features songs by U2's Bono and The Edge and is the most expensive show ever mounted on Broadway.
Taymor received a Tony Award for best direction of a Musical for her work on "The Lion King". She later went on to direct the highly acclaimed production of "The Magic Flute" at the Metropolitan Opera. She is currently working on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," for Theatre for a New Audience.