Madonna Biopic Update: Julia Garner Shares Audition Details and Where the Film Stands
Ah, the saga of the Madonna biopic, a drama almost as layered as the Queen of Pop’s legendary career itself. If you’ve been waiting for the Material Girl’s life story to make its dazzling screen debut, you’re not alone. The project has been teased, shelved, teased again, and wrapped in enough mystery to rival Madonna’s most iconic reinventions. Let’s break down everything we know so far, because, honey, this biopic gossip is juicier than your favorite Madonna remix.
What’s the Status, Really?
First things first, is the Madonna biopic happening? Well, according to Julia Garner (yes, the Julia Garner of Ozark fame, who landed the coveted role of Madonna), the project is still “supposed to happen.” Garner dished on the SmartLess podcast that the whole thing is in limbo, but not officially dead. It’s like that one outfit in your closet you’re waiting for the right moment to wear—not gone, just…waiting.
Universal originally had the production greenlit, with Madonna herself set to direct. But in a 2023 plot twist, the studio hit the brakes on the film. Why? Probably a messy cocktail of budget concerns, a daunting script, and, well, Madonna being Madonna. But don’t lose hope! The icon hinted in 2024 on Instagram that she’s still tinkering with the script. “Anything that’s great,” as Garner pointed out, “takes a long time.”
Julia Garner’s Audition? Total Madonna Energy
Garner’s audition process for the Madonna biopic sounds like a training camp for pop royalty. Picture this: you have to dance, sing, and act in front of Madonna. No pressure, right? Garner admits she wasn’t exactly a trained dancer but leaned on her inner Madonna, embodying her bold and unapologetic attitude. Her mantra? “What would Madonna do?” The answer? Own the damn room.
Her audition story included singing with Madonna herself. If that doesn’t scream intimidating, I don’t know what does. But Garner held her ground, telling herself, “If you don’t pick me, that’s on you.” Now that is the energy we all need heading into Monday meetings.
Why the Delay?
If “Like a Prayer” taught us anything, it’s that good things take time. The Madonna biopic isn’t immune to the complexities of big-budget filmmaking. With Madonna both directing and co-writing (alongside Diablo Cody and Erin Cressida Wilson), we’re talking about a project that oozes ambition. And knowing Madonna, mediocrity is out of the question.
But the roadblock isn’t just artistic. Universal stepped back in light of the production’s challenges, shelving the entire thing temporarily. Madonna’s health scare in mid-2023 also likely put the project on hold. The good news? Post-recovery and after finishing her Celebration Tour, Madonna seems to have reignited her fire for the biopic. If there’s one thing Madonna does well besides music, it’s a comeback.
What Could The Madonna Biopic Deliver?
If we do get this Madonna biopic, expect no stone to be left unturned from Madonna’s genre-defining, boundary-breaking career. The film could cover everything from her early years in New York hustling to her ‘80s pop conquest, the controversial Sex book era, all the way to her status as a cultural icon pushing 65. And let’s not forget the fashion. I want rhinestones. I want lace gloves. I want all of it.
The movie was also likely to focus on the grit behind the glam. Madonna is a self-made legend, after all. If the script leans on her resilience and revolutionary drive, it could make for one of the most empowering biopics in recent history.
What’s Next?
While we wait (impatiently) for updates on the Madonna biopic, Madonna fans can look forward to a separate collaboration she’s cooking up with Shawn Levy at Netflix. Rumors hint at a limited series chronicling her life. Could this be the backup plan if the biopic feels too ambitious for the big screen? Either way, it’s a win for anyone craving more Madonna content.
Final Thoughts
The Madonna biopic is, admittedly, starting to feel like the movie version of Detox releasing her long-rumored album (if you know, you know). It’s a mix of hope, hype, and heartbreak. But if anyone can pull this off, it’s Madonna. She didn’t revolutionize pop culture by playing it safe, and she won’t start now.
Until then, all we can do is channel our inner Madonna, slap on a bold red lip, and wait for this film to slay us all. After all, in Madonna’s world, a delay isn’t a denial. It’s just a remix.
