Spendthrift Spider-Man shooting more than webbing.

Lion King director "genius" Julie Taymor's budget for Spider-Man the Musical has ballooned to $40 million bucks making it the most expensive Broadway production - ever!

Production insiders in today's sketchy economy are asking themselves WHY? and are desperately trying to scale down the Marvel hero's song and dance debut.

According to the NY Post, investors and producers are tittering hopefully, "Well, it's $40 million now, but we think we can get it down to $35 million."  

Despite a score by U2's Bono and a production initiative of Sony, Marvel Comics and lawyer David Garfinkle, Spider-Man: The Musical  would have to run 8,000 years in a Broadway theatre - just to break even!

Insiders are reportedly whispering "$40 million, Julie? Are you out of your f#@%- ing mind?!!"

Thwip!