The battle of Julie Taymor's monsters

Love or hate her, there’s no denying that Julie Taymor is a visionary.

Any doubters need only consider the two daring projects the director is currently attached to: “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” now in previews on Broadway ahead of a Jan. 11 opening, and an unusual film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” which opens in theaters Thursday.

Both constitute bold risks, sure to be big hits of enormous failures. We compare the two, to determine which wins our “ambition prize.”

Budget
Costing $65 million, the much-hyped “Spider-Man” is the most expensive Broadway show in history. “The Tempest,” far more modestly budgeted, cost $20 million. Winner: “Spider-Man”

Changes to source material
For “Spider-Man,” Taymor created a spider goddess called Arachne, as well as other new characters. In “The Tempest,” she changes the gender of protagonist Prospero to the female Prospera (Helen Mirren). Winner: “The Tempest”

Casting
Reeve Carney, star of “Spider-Man,” is making his Broadway debut. The prospect of “Tempest” cast member Russell Brand doing Shakespeare is a little odd, but Mirren is a no-brainer. Winner: “Spider-Man”

Costumes
“The Tempest” wardrobe features black leathered zip-ups. “Spider-Man” offers spiky-metallic suits, characters sporting attire adorned with Swiss Army knives and more zaniness. Winner: “Spider-Man”

Disastrous previews
The first “Spider-Man” preview, held on Nov. 28, has already achieved a measure of infamy for its multiple pauses due to technical malfunctions and a reported catcall. “The Tempest” made a more conventionally unsuccessful bow: receiving bad reviews at the New York Film Festival and at other stops on the fest circuit this fall. Winner: “Spider-Man”