Jennifer Lopez debuted a spiderweb gown at Sundance for *Kiss of the Spider Woman*, while the director addressed Diego Luna’s absence
*Kiss of the Spider Woman*, directed by Bill Condon, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on January 26.
Jennifer Lopez debuted her first movie musical in the snowy surroundings of Utah.
At the premiere, Lopez, 55, dazzled on the red carpet in a black lace gown by Valdrin Sahiti, adorned with sparkling Hassanzadeh jewelry that formed an intricate spiderweb design.
She stayed cozy in a white fur coat as she made her way to the event.
The film, starring Diego Luna as a political prisoner in 1980s Argentina, was missing Luna, who was unable to attend due to a family emergency in Madrid.
Director Condon, 69, shared that Luna was “heartbroken” to miss the premiere. The film is a reimagining of the 1976 novel by Manuel Puig, with a Broadway musical adaptation that won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1993.
*Kiss of the Spider Woman* has been described as «a rich historical and political drama with the vibrant flair of an old Hollywood musical,» according to the official Sundance synopsis.
Lopez delivers an unforgettable performance as Luna/Aurora, stealing every scene with her powerful musical numbers that showcase her exceptional dance and vocal abilities.
At the L.A. Times panel, Lopez shared that she spent months preparing to portray Ingrid Luna, a movie-star character within the film.
She admitted that the tight schedule was a challenge, saying, «I would’ve liked to have had a whole year to prepare for a big musical like this, but with this independent film, everything was condensed. We didn’t have much time.»
She noted that while she had a background in dance, the experience was still a challenge, especially for her co-stars Diego and Tonatiuh. «But we made it through,» she added.
Tonatiuh praised Lopez’s dedication on set, calling her a «force of nature.» He explained, «It was amazing to watch her work—there were times when I wasn’t even in the scene, but I would show up just to watch her perform again. It was incredible.»
In a May interview with *Live with Kelly and Mark*, Lopez described her role in *Kiss of the Spider Woman* as both exhilarating and exhausting. «I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in,» she shared. «I’m at my thinnest and fighting fit.»
The film is still seeking a distributor and release date. Lopez, along with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon through their production company Artists Equity, are credited as producers.
