You would think due to the longevity and incredible success of Madonna's legendary music career, it would be easy to get a movie about her life off the ground. When one hears the news that Britney Spears has a biopic in the works with a hot director attached to it, it seems like a head-scratcher that the Queen of Pop doesn't have one moving full speed ahead. As it turns out, it hasn't been for a lack of trying - Madonna has revealed that the delays are due to producers and agents who want to "downsize" the scope of the project.
✕ Remove Ads
Madonna took to Instagram to tell her 19.8 million followers what's going on with her biopic after spending four years developing it, with an initial draft of the screenplay being handled by Oscar-winner Diablo Cody and further revisions made by Erin Cressida Wilson. Madonna halted development on the film, which had Universal Pictures releasing and Julia Garner attached to star, and even though the beginning of her world tour in 2023 was cited as the reason for the pause, the mega pop star admits to growing frustrated "listening to producers and agents tell me why I couldn't make my film." She goes on to insist that the powers that be wanted her to "downsize-downscale-think smaller" when it came to detailing her life, which follows her from her early beginnings in New York City to becoming a musical icon in the late '80s, early '90s, and beyond.
"I realized that everything in my life is going to be challenged. No easy rides for me. I guess I should be grateful...It forces me to think outside the box. I did not have a normal life. I cannot make this in the normal way."
✕ Remove Ads
Even someone as accomplished as Madonna needs to seek advice, and that's exactly what she did when it came to addressing the issues in developing her biopic. The "Like a Virgin" singer said that she consulted with friends and other creatives to regain inspiration to tell her story her way, and she said they all gave her the advice to "be even more fearless." She also put a question to her fanbase: Should the story of her life be the subject of a series or a major motion picture?
"We cannot shrink and make ourselves smaller. If you want something badly enough in life - the whole universe will conspire to [help] you get it. Should I make the story of my life into a series or a feature film? Think before you answer!!"
Madonna Is Extremely Involved in Making Her Own Biopic ✕ Remove Ads
Madonna's biopic has long been in the works and the singer has made no secret about her personal involvement in every detail of its development. Would you expect anything less from a performer of Madonna's stature? Having been heavily involved in the casting process, the singer was pleased with Garner, and the actress was excited to get things moving on the film. It was also reported back in 2022 that Julia Fox met with Madonna to potentially play her longtime friend, Debi Mazar, but Fox recently revealed that she's no longer involved with the project.
Related These Madonna Films Still Hold Up Today
Madonna: With over 335 million records sold, the best-selling female artist of all time also had at least two timeless acting performances.
✕ Remove Ads
The fact that it's difficult for Madonna to get a biopic made is pretty wild. Her accomplishments in the music industry and her influence on all of pop culture make her the prime candidate for a biopic. She has sold over 335 million albums worldwide, making her the best-selling female recording artist of all time, and she has repeatedly redefined what it means to be a live performer in the music business, becoming the first woman to gross $1 billion in concert revenue. In addition to her mark on music, Madonna has also been in a few successful films, including Desperately Seeking Susan, Dick Tracy, A League of Their Own, and Evita, the latter of which earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Musical or Comedy.