Bono, The Edge to write music for Spider-Man musical

NEW YORK, April 19 (Reuters Life!) - Spider-man can climb, and has superhuman strength -- but can he sing or dance?

U2 stars Bono and The Edge are about to find out, tasked with writing the music and lyrics for a Broadway musical about the super hero.

Marvel Studios said on Thursday plans were underway to produce a musical based the comic strip crime-fighter who has starred in three action movies, with the latest, "Spider-Man 3," having its world premiere in Tokyo this week.

"The musical will be directed by Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor with U2's Bono and The Edge creating new music and lyrics for the project," Marvel said in a statement.

Taymor won two Tony Awards for her work on the Disney musical "The Lion King."

Marvel Studios, a unit of Marvel Entertainment Inc. (MVL.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), said a reading was scheduled to take place this summer but no dates have been confirmed for a Broadway opening.

Marvel said this would be the first time that a Marvel character has been the subject of a show on Broadway.

"We are certain this project will delight fans of Spider-Man and new audiences alike," said David Maisel, chairman of Marvel Studios, whose previous Broadway credits include spearheading the 1999 award-winning musical "Fosse" about the life and work of showman Bob Fosse.

But it is not the first Broadway show based on a super hero.