In a recent conversation with Interview magazine, Madonna said the main reason her Universal Pictures biopic was shelved was due to the budget, adding:
“I was supposed to make a movie about my life. I worked on my script for two years and spent two years at Universal Studios with the line producers doing budgeting and casting.” “We had a falling out, me and Universal, regarding budget. I’ve had an extraordinary life. I’ve had a huge life, so I needed a big budget. You know what I mean?”
Having confirmed Julia Garner to portray the superstar singer/songwriter on the big screen, Madonna was co-writing the film and was attached to direct as well.And even though she sourced a way to make the biopic for less money in Serbia, the production company wouldn’t play ball.
“Maybe they just didn’t believe in me. One of their first reactions was, ‘We don’t believe you’d stay in Serbia more than four days.’ And I said, ‘Did you read the script?’ My whole life has been survival. I’m not going there for a holiday,” explained the now 67-year old songstress/actress.
In September of 2025, Garner insisted the film was still very much on, and in an interview with W Magazine she shared, “I can’t say too much about it, but yes. It’s a work in progress.” Originally cast to play the music icon in mid-2022, by January 2023, reports emerged that the project had been scrapped, but the following year, Madonna teased on social media that it was back on.
Keep up with the latest trending music news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Author: Al Dente