Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today announces Someone Killed Spiderman – Accidentally Famous (working title), presented by Sky, a new co-production between Sky Studios and Groenlandia, globally distributed by Banijay Rights.
In the late 1980s, in the small Italian town Pavia, teenager Max finds solace in comic books and American music, standing out as a non-conformist in a place there is nothing to be rebellious about. After neglecting high school to pursue friendships and punk nights, failure inevitably catches up with him. But this opens doors to a life-changing opportunity, transferring to a new high school where he crosses paths with Mauro. Music makes the pair inseparable. Thanks to Mauro’s driving force, Max embraces his musical talent and together they compose the first songs that will be produced by Claudio Cecchetto. But when success overwhelms them, the question arises: will Max and Mauro, despite their differences, manage to stick together?
Inspired by the story of how Italian pop band 883 was formed, and named after their iconic hit debut album, this eight part series is created, written, and directed by Groenlandia’s Sydney Sibilia. It marks the first television venture for the acclaimed film director behind high-end projects such as I Can Quit Whenever I Want and Rose Island, bringing Francesco Ebbasta and Alice Filippi on board as directors, with Francesco Agostini, with Chiara Laudani and Giorgio Nerone joining as writers.
Sydney Sibilia says: “Someone Killed Spiderman – Accidentally Famous will plunge viewers into youth culture from the 80s, weaving in a narrative of rebellion, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams. For many of us it will be a nostalgic gallop into music that means so much, and for others, it is a stellar story of two friends who come together in a life-changing way. It is exciting to work on my first TV series with great partners like Sky Studios and Banijay Rights on board.”
Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights says: “Sydney Sibilia is well-known for his ability to blend warmth and humour with poignant storytelling. There is something special about the content Groenlandia creates and with this drama viewers can expect a journey into the vibrant 1980s culture, cherished by audiences and broadcasters worldwide. Showcasing this title is testament to our commitment to bring this series to buyers from around the world.”
Led by Matteo Rovere alongside Sydney Sibilia, premium Italian scripted label, Groenlandia, is behind a bursting slate of high-end drama, comedy, and film. This includes Netflix series Supersex which makes its international debut at Berlinale 2024, Prime Video’s No Activity and Antonia, a second series of Romulus for Sky and The Law According to Lidia Poet for Netflix. Recent films include El Paraiso, which screened at the Venice Film Festival last year, as well as the widely acclaimed Sheep Among Wolves and September.