Universal Studios Not Moving Forward with Madonna Biopic

Madonna remains committed to returning to the untitled project at a future date.

Cinergi Productions

The untitled Madonna biopic, with Julia Garner in the starring role, is on hiatus as the singer embarks on her Celebration world tour. EW confirms that Universal Studios is no longer moving forward with the anticipated project but that the pop icon remains committed to revisiting the project in the future. Just last week, Madonna announced her plans to travel the globe for The Celebration Tour, and she is set to travel through 35 cities throughout 2023.

Details of what the film would cover were kept under wrap, but the last script was set to cover Madonna’s rise to fame to her 1990 Blond Ambition Tour. No official comment has been made by Madonna, Universal Pictures, or Julia Garner, who was cast in the coveted starring role. Interest in portraying the Queen of Pop was high, gaining the attention of Florence Pugh, Alexa Demie, Bebe Rexha, and Odessa Young, who attended a singing and dancing boot camp. Emmy Award-winning actress Garner came out on top and was reportedly set to play Madonna. In terms of additional casting news, no other celebrities were tied to any roles, but it was reported that Madonna met with Julia Fox (Uncut Gems) regarding the role of Madonna’s best friend, Debi Mazar.

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Madonna’s Involvement in the Biopic

Theo Wargo/GI for MTV/ViacomCBS

Besides taking on the role of director, Madonna was co-writing the film. Initially, she worked alongside Diablo Cody (Jennifer’s Body), but Cody exited the project in 2021 after submitting a final draft. Secretary’s Erin Cressida Wilson then signed on, serving as a co-writer for further drafts. This would not have been Madonna’s directorial debut, as she served in that capacity for two previous films: W.E. and Filth & Wisdom.

In an interview last July, Madonna was adamant about being involved in the making of her biopic:

“I’ve had an extraordinary life, I must make an extraordinary film. It was also a preemptive strike because a lot of people were trying to make movies about me. Mostly misogynistic men. No one’s going to tell my story, but me,” she said.

Madonna rose to international success following the release of her debut studio album in 1983. She remains the best-selling female recording artist of all time. In addition to her successful music career, she made her way onto the big screen, appearing in films like Desperately Seeking Susan, A League Of Their Own, Dangerous Game, Dick Tracy, and Evita. The latter earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. In addition, her illustrious decades-long career has been the focus of two documentaries, Truth or Dare and Madame X.

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