‘Spider-Man’ on Broadway May Have Found Its Angels

The much anticipated, magnificently expensive Julie Taymor-directed musical of “Spider-Man,” with music by U2, may have its financial backers.

Sources say that Jim Stern, of Endgame Productions, may fill in the $10 million gap left behind when another Chicago investor, David Garfinkle, had financial trouble a few weeks ago. “Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark” may cost as much as $45 million in the end.

At the same time, another name in the mix, with Stern, is Norton Herrick, the New Jersey real estate mogul who recently made and distributed the Renee Zellweger film. “My One and Only.”

Herrick has acknowledged that he may be involved. Stern declines to comment.

Stern, who I think is 52 but looks 16, has had a short brilliant run as a Broadway investor after making millions on Wall Street investing in hedge funds. He’s been behind both “The Producers” and “Hairspray,” to name a few. He’s also releasing a great movie this Friday through Sony Pictures Classics. “An Education.” starring Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard, is a cinch for many Oscar nominations including acting, directing, script, and Best Picture.

Herrick has also been a recent Broadway angel. In the last year, he’s had positions in “Hair,” “Desire Under the Elms,” “9 to 5,” and “Exit the King.”

Stern is an unusual guy. He co-directed the documentary about “A Chorus Line,” called “Every Little Step,” which could also be up for an Oscar this season. In the business, Stern is still an enigma. But expect all that to change soon.

“Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark” stars Evan Rachel Wood (pictured) and Alan Cumming. Sources also tell that Peter Parker has been cast, but not announced. In the musical, only Peter will sing. Spider Man himself will be represented by five different blue and red wall crawlers and flyers. And he will not carry a tune, just a web, and maybe Mary Jane (Wood).