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Jennifer Lopez is stepping into her most theatrical role yet.
The multi-hyphenate star, 55, returns to her musical theater roots and dazzles in a teaser trailer for Kiss of the Spider Woman, a new film adaptation of the 1993 Broadway classic.
Lopez takes on the title role of Aurora, a mysterious screen siren haunting the fantasies of a political prisoner held in a repressive South American jail. Set to John Kander and Fred Ebb’s award-winning score, the trailer offers a glimpse at the film’s blend of gritty realism and old-Hollywood fantasy.
Aurora glides between dream sequences and haunting musical numbers as two cellmates — one a Marxist revolutionary (played by Diego Luna), the other a gay window dresser imprisoned for “immoral behavior” (played by Tonatiuh)— navigate their unlikely friendship.
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Jennifer Lopez/YouTube
Kiss of the Spider Woman originally premiered on Broadway in March 1993, and was an instant hit with critics and audiences.
Based on the 1976 novel by Manuel Puig, the musical features a score by Kander and Ebb — the legendary duo behind Chicago and Cabaret — and a book by Tony Award winner Terrence McNally. It won seven Tonys including Best Musical and a trophy for star Chita Rivera, who originated the title role and cemented its legacy as one of musical theater’s most seductive, enigmatic characters.
The story was previously adapted for a 1985 film starring William Hurt, Raul Julia and Sônia Braga.
This new movie is written and directed by Bill Condon, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Dreamgirls and Beauty and the Beast (2017) and the writer of Chicago and The Greatest Showman.
Lopez’s role in Kiss of the Spider Woman will mark her debut in a movie musical. She also serves as a co-producer on the project alongside ex Ben Affleck and 12 others, including Matt Damon.
Jennifer Lopez/YouTube
In a November interview with Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, Lopez opened up about the movie, calling it “the most challenging and rewarding role I’ve ever had.”
“It’s a dark story, but also one about love and survival — about helping each other through hard times,” Lopez said. “I think that’s a message we really need right now.”
She went on to explain that Kander was with her in the studio when she recorded her songs. “He’s [98] years old and still so full of life,” Lopez said. “Hearing him say, ‘I’ve never heard this song sung better’ — it was one of the best moments of my career.”
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Jennifer Lopez/YouTube
The movie debuted at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival back in January, where Lopez was visibly emotional as audiences stood for a lengthy ovation.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” she said during a post-screening discussion.
Kiss of the Spider Woman is set to premiere in theaters nationwide this fall.
