Madonna’s life is legendary, and now it’s about to hit the screen – sort of. The pop icon’s long-awaited biopic, starring Julia Garner, has been a rollercoaster of big announcements, creative shakeups, and studio drama, and fans have been on the edge of their seats since 2020.
From casting rumors to script rewrites and even a potential Netflix pivot, this Madonna biopic isn’t just another celebrity biopic; it’s the singer doing it her way, with Garner ready to channel the Queen of Pop in all her iconic glory.
The Madonna Biopic Timeline: Casting, Scripts, and Studio Drama
Madonna’s long-gestating biopic journey kicked off in 2020, when the Queen of Pop revealed she was diving headfirst into a film about her own life, taking the reins as co-writer and director. Teaming up with Universal Pictures and producer Amy Pascal, Madonna was clear from the start: she wanted complete creative control over how her legendary career and personal life would be portrayed.
Initially, Diablo Cody, the Oscar-winning writer behind Juno, was brought on board to co-write the script, but she exited in 2021, leaving Madonna to complete the rest of it. But EW reported that Cody, in fact, handed in the final script along with the Material Girl singer and moved to the next project.
By mid-2022, Julia Garner, fresh off her Emmy-winning run in Inventing Anna, was officially cast as Madonna. Garner wowed the pop icon with auditions that reportedly included full-on singing and dancing performances. A source close to the project told People,
The Madonna project is in active development, and Julia Garner is the choice to play Madonna in the biopic
Early script drafts were said to cover Madonna’s life up through her 1990 Blond Ambition Tour,
The project hit a significant bump in January 2023, when Universal reportedly shelved the biopic, placing it in “shutdown” mode. As reported by Variety, Madonna later explained the pause was partly to focus on her Celebration World Tour while also navigating creative disagreements and studio pressure around budget and scope.
Fast forward to mid-2024, and the project appeared to be bouncing back. Madonna teased with an Instagram post that she teamed up with Erin Cressida Wilson to rework the script, and a working title, Who’s That Girl, surfaced, paying homage to her iconic 1987 film and song. Yet, even with these updates, no official production dates or filming schedules were confirmed.
A post shared by Madonna (@madonna)
As of September 2025, Julia Garner confirmed the biopic is still “in progress,” with discussions around production ongoing. She revealed to W Magazine,
I can’t say too much about it, but yes, it’s a work in progress.
Adding another twist, according to Deadline, Madonna has also explored turning her story into a Netflix limited series, offering a format that could give her the creative freedom she craves while telling her life and career in full.
With the project constantly evolving from film to possible streaming series, the biopic remains one of the most anticipated and mysterious entertainment projects of the moment, with Julia Garner still poised to channel the ultimate pop icon on screen
Meet the Squad Behind Julia Garner’s Madonna
When it comes to casting, Julia Garner is stepping into Madonna’s stilettos—literally. The Emmy-winning star wowed Madonna herself with auditions that reportedly included full-on singing, dancing, and embodying the Queen of Pop’s iconic energy.
During the Weapons actor’s appearance on the Smartless podcast, the actress said,
I kind of just wanted to see if I could do it because I wasn’t a trained dancer and I had to learn how to dance and then dance in front of her and convince her that I can dance, basically, and sing—and sing with her!
Behind the camera, Madonna isn’t just a subject; she’s calling the shots as co-writer and director, ensuring every detail screams authenticity. The script has seen its share of shakeups: Diablo Cody was initially attached but left in 2021. Erin Cressida Wilson later stepped in to rework the story during the project’s revival.
🚨 | Julia Garner esteve ao lado de Madonna no palco da Celebration Tour em show em Nova York ontem (14/12).
A atriz estava escalada para viver a Rainha do Pop em sua cinebiografia, que acabou engavetada.pic.twitter.com/tkVge6NsWx
Production-wise, Universal Pictures and Amy Pascal were originally on board, though the studio’s role has shifted amid the biopic’s pauses and revivals. Rumors have swirled about supporting roles, like Julia Fox possibly playing Madonna’s friend and confidante Debi Mazar, but nothing is set in stone.
In addition to all this, she’s exploring a Netflix limited series, a move that could give her more creative freedom while keeping Julia Garner front and center.
When Will the Biopic Release?
Julia Garner’s Madonna biopic hasn’t a release date yet, but anticipation is through the roof. Originally set up as a theatrical film with Universal, the project has seen pauses, script rewrites, and studio discussions, keeping fans on edge.
Madonna has also explored a Netflix limited series, a move that could give her story more room to breathe and keep Garner in the starring role. Whether it lands in theaters or on streaming, one thing’s sure: when it finally drops, it’s set to be as bold, iconic, and unforgettable as the Queen of Pop herself.
Who’s excited to see Madonna’s story unfold with Julia Garner? Let us know in the comments below!
