In January 2023, it seemed as though the anticipated film chronicling the illustrious life of the iconic singer had come to a halt. However, almost a year and a half later, Madonna's biopic is reviving with newfound energy. Initially intended to be a tribute to her illustrious decades-spanning career, the project was initially envisioned under the auspices of Universal Pictures but faced difficulties that ultimately led to its suspension in early 2023.
In a captivating Instagram post, Madonna shares a mosaic of photographs depicting her diligently working on a typewriter, surrounded by stacks of papers. Amongst the snapshots, a potential title, "Who's That Girl," a homage to her eponymous 1987 song and film, catches the eye on the script's opening page. A snippet from the script further reveals "rewrites by Madonna and ECW," likely referring to Erin Cressida Wilson, the screenwriter who joined the project after Diablo Cody's departure. Madonna captions the post with a tongue-in-cheek remark, "I Need A-lot of Bandz to make this... OKAY" (a play on words referencing her hit song "I Need a Man"), adding, "(Story of my life.)"
When the project hit a roadblock, insiders revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that scripting the movie had always been a challenge, with numerous drafts exceeding 180 pages. Discussions were even held about splitting the film into two parts or transforming it into a miniseries, but those plans never materialized. "You have 40 years of success, and it's incredibly challenging to encapsulate that into a single film," said a source close to the project.
Madonna was set to helm the biographical drama, while Julia Garner emerged as the prime contender to portray the legendary artist after a rigorous audition process that saw numerous stars, including Florence Pugh, Odessa Young, and Alexa Demie, vying for the coveted role. The hopefuls underwent intense and sometimes marathon 11-hour choreography sessions with Madonna's choreographer and the artist herself.
At this juncture, it remains unclear whether Universal Pictures is still involved in the revived project. The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Universal Pictures and Madonna's representatives for further updates.
