Julie Taymor and Sidney Goldfarb adapted Mann's novella for the stage in the 80s. After revisions, the work eventually played the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.

Glenn Berger, co-writer of the long-in-the-works Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, will pen the screenplay. The film, like the stage production, will feature a score by Elliot Goldenthal.

Taymor, deadline.com says, will film the musical in India and New York. The director said, "When it's a good story you just [ keep ] finding new things in it, and there are only so many good stories in the world."

After Julie Taymor won the MacArthur "genius" award for her innovative work in theatre in 1991, she received two 1998 Tony Awards for her work on The Lion King, one for direction (the first woman to receive that honor) and one for costume design. Taymor's other Broadway credits include the Tony Award-nominated Lincoln Center Theater production of Juan Darien and the Drama Desk-nominated The Green Bird. Taymor's film directing credits include "Titus," "Frida" and "Across the Universe." Taymor will be represented on Broadway next season with Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark.