Madonna biopic not moving forward at Universal

Madonna’s biopic about her own life, which the pop icon was expected to co-write and direct at Universal, is not moving forward at the studio and is no longer in development, IndieWire has learned.

Julia Garner was cast as the “Like a Virgin” singer in the film, but speculation about the film being shelved began when Madonna announced her world tour starting in July. Madonna and Universal announced the project back in 2020, but development stalled last year. Diablo Cody (“Juno,” the musical “Jagged Little Pill”) wrote the screenplay, adapted by Erin Cressida Wilson. After announcing the project, Madonna also shared pictures of her writing alongside Cody.

Garner, known for Inventing Anna and Ozark, won the role after a group of young stars all attended a singing and dancing boot camp. Other stars such as Bebe Rexha, Florence Pugh and Alexa Demie also attended and auditioned for the role.

Universal had no comment. Reps for Madonna and Garner did not respond to requests for comment.

SpeciesVia insiders who first broke the news, he said Madonna still wants to make a movie about her life.

Amy Pascal produced the Madonna biopic alongside Sara Zambreno and Guy Oseary, Madonna’s longtime manager.

Madonna previously directed 2008’s “Filth and Wisdom” and 2011’s “WE,” Madonna previously discussed the film, saying that while the film is centered around music, it will follow “the incredible journey that I’ve taken as an artist life took me. a musician, a dancer – a human being trying to make his way in this world.” Earlier hints on social media suggested that the film would be called ‘Little Sparrow’. THR also previously reported that early drafts of the film were finished around the time of the 1990 Blond Ambition tour.

Before Madonna took on the directorial role, Universal at one point flirted with adapting Elyse Hollander’s biopic “Blond Ambition,” which topped the blacklist for most recommended unproduced screenplays, to which Madonna responded, “Only I can tell my story .”

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