Spike Lee Takes ‘Porgy and Bess’ to Cinemas

It’s looking like the next Spike Lee joint might be a big screen adaptation of “Porgy and Bess.”

The Academy Award-winning director recently told Indiewire.com that he has long been in discussions with the Gershwin and Heyward Estates about bringing a new version of the classic production to theaters.

“That’s still in the works. As a film not a play,” he told the website, referring to “Porgy and Bess. “Yeah I want to make it, but I’m in long discussions with both estates… There have been musical elements in my films, but I’ve been wanting to do a straight up musical for many, many years.”

Lee previously tweeted his excitement about the 2012 Broadway revival of “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” which was nominated for 10 Tony Awards this year.

“Porgy and Bess Is Great,” he wrote on Twitter. “Audra McDonald As Bess, Norm Lewis as Porgy And My Man David Alan Grier as Sportin’ Life. C’mon Folks CHECK THIS OUT.”

Indie Wire also reports that a Lee production of the musical almost came to fruition in the early part of the last decade, but negotiations with the Gershwin estate fell apart at the last minute.

And the adaptation of the classic musical is not the only Broadway production on Lee’s mind, as he is also in discussions to bring his 1989 film “Do the Right Thing” to Broadway.

“I’m talking to Sir James Nederlander about it,” Lee said, referring to the Tony Award-winning producer.

Lee’s first foray into Broadway, “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth” opened August 2 at the Longacre Theatre. He has also filmed a live performance of the Tony Award-winning musical “Passing Strange.”

In other Lee news, his latest film, “Red Hook Summer,” opens today in select New York theaters, and will see a wider release on August 24.