Cumming joins Spider-Man musical

Scottish actor Alan Cumming has joined the cast of Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark, the upcoming Broadway musical about the comic book hero.

The 44-year-old will take on the role of Norman Osborn, also known as the villainous Green Goblin, played by Willem Dafoe in the 2002 film.

The Wrestler star Evan Rachel Wood has also signed on to play Peter Parker's girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson.

The musical features a score by Bono and The Edge from rock band U2.

'Such charisma'

It will be directed by Julie Taymor, the creative force behind Disney's long-running Lion King who has worked with both Cumming and Wood before.

"Evan is unique: she is a young actress with incredible depth for both serious and comic drama in films and theatre, and on top of that, she has an extraordinary lyrical voice," Taymor said.

As for Cumming, the director added: "He has such range and such charisma as a performer that I feel his Green Goblin will bring many surprises that will move and entertain us."

The actor, from Aberfeldy in Perthshire, was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List earlier this month for services to film, theatre and the arts and for his work as a gay rights campaigner.

The plot for Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark was inspired by the Marvel hero and will include the story of his origins as well as new material.

An opening date will be announced later, as will the actor to be cast as Spider-Man. Preview performances begin on 25 February 2010, at the Hilton Theatre.

Tobey Maguire has starred as Spider-Man in three big-screen versions of the comic book franchise. He is expected to return for a fourth instalment, to be released in 2011.