Spice Girls Musical is London-Bound

After rumors of a Spice Girls musical surfaced last year, it looks like the show is a go!

American Idol creator Simon Fuller and Mamma Mia! producer Judy Craymer are putting together the tentatively titled Viva Forever, a musical based on the Spice Girls‘ songs. Geri Halliwell initially contacted producers about the idea, Variety reports.

Set to hit the stage at London’s West End, the show will not be a tribue show, Judy told Variety.

“It’ll be a mix of fact and fiction, a story of women and friendship. The Spice Girls create a lot of excitement and the show will tap into the essence of them,” she said.

Spice Girls to Have Their Own 'American Idol'-Style TV Show

The Spice Girls are not only going back on tour, they're hosting a talent TV show in the UK to find stand-ins for an upcoming musical about the girls.

The group, consisting of Mel C, Mel B, Geri Halliwell, Victoria Beckham and Emma Bunton, are planning to use the winners to play the 5 Spices for a production in London’s West End theatre district. The show, rumored to be called "Spice Idol," will be run American Idol-style with judging panel who dispense criticism and advice to hundreds of hopefuls. Will they get a Simon Cowell, too?

A source told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: "This is an idea which appeals to all of the original members. It's a fantastic new way to broaden out the Spice franchise and cash in on their personalities, their story and their songs. The girls would have to work intensely on a TV show for a short period of time. But then they can launch a musical which could run for months or even years. It will take on a life of its own. The concept could even be replicated in other countries. The sky is the limit with this one."

Geri is said to be the driving force behind the musical, which has been described as a two-hour "pop extravaganza." The Spice Girls, who formed in 1994, last performed together in Toronto, Canada, in February 2008.

Spice Girls: The Musical?

Tell you what British producers want, what they really, really want: Five unknown actresses to portray the 90s’ hottest imports from England - the Spice Girls!

The ladies met up at Nobu in London recently to chat and there were rumors of a second Spice reunion tour - but the girls were planning to stage their stardom story instead.

Geri Halliwell, or Ginger Spice, will be the producer, but the other ladies will help choose the actresses and will add input to the project.

The Spice Girls - Emma, Mel B, Mel C, Geri and Victoria - were formed in 1994 after answering an ad in “The Stage” reading “R. U. 18-23 with the ability to sing/dance? R.U. streetwise, outgoing, ambitious, and dedicated?” and have sold 65 million records worldwide.

Get Ready to "Spice" It Up

Get ready to potentially "spice up your life" again. The Spice Girls, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Mel B and Mel C, might be joining forces for another reunion tour, but further details have not been announced.

Ginger, Baby, Scary and Sporty Spice discussed getting back together over dinner at The Palm restaurant in London's exclusive Knightsbridge district this week. Mel B later hinted at an imminent reunion, writing on her Twitter account: "Spice girls, stadiums?????????? Had dinner with the amazing melc emma and geri I love them so much."

It is understood the foursome continued negotiations at the nearby Mayfair Hotel, where they enjoyed several cocktails. Fellow bandmate Victoria Beckham was not at the meeting, believed to be because she is busy launching her Spring/Summer 10 collection at New York Fashion Week.

The girl group shot to fame in 1996 with their hit single "Wannabe." They sold over 65 million albums before going their separate ways in 2001. They briefly reunited in 2007 for the hugely successful "Return of the Spice Girls" tour, which saw them perform 47 concerts across the world.