LONDON — Simon Cowell is developing a stage musical based on “The X Factor,” Deadline reported Monday, as the TV singing competition prepares to make its US debut this week.
Cowell is in “very early discussions” with producers about a London stage show and is expected to collaborate with British comedian Harry Hill and producer Steve Brown, sources said.
The move comes as Simon Fuller, who had worked with Cowell on “American Idol,” has his own West End production in development. Fuller’s project “Viva Forever” will showcase songs from the hit British girl group the Spice Girls.
The competing stage productions come as the two British music and TV execs are in the middle of a feud over the US version of “The X Factor,” with Fuller claiming he deserves credit for helping Cowell create the show, which launches Wednesday.
The show first premiered in the UK in 2004 and has since spread to 29 countries.
American audiences can tune in this week to watch Cowell, Paula Abdul, Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger and record exec L.A. Reid search for the next big superstar.
“It’s not just what you do during the show, anyone can mentor, the point is can you mentor and actually create a star,” Cowell told reporters last week about his commitment to finding the next major music act on the FOX show.
FOX Television is owned by News Corp., which also owns NewsCore.