Madonna's Biopic Dream: Julia Garner Navigates Delays and Dance Auditions

MADONNA'S LONG-AWAITED BIOPIC TAKES CENTER STAGE: JULIA GARNER CONFIRMED AS THE QUEEN OF POP IN HER NEW FILM

In a bombshell move, Julia Garner has finally confirmed that she will be playing the iconic Madonna in her highly-anticipated biopic. The 31-year-old actress has been tapped to portray the Queen of Pop in what promises to be an explosive film.

Speaking with W Magazine, Garner couldn't contain her excitement about the project, revealing that it's "a work in progress." When asked about her favorite Madonna songs, she gushed: "I love Borderline, that's probably my favourite. I also love Papa Don't Preach. I love Burning Up. I love Confessions on a Dance Floor. I grew up with that album. Obviously Vogue, and Ray of Light."

Garner, who rose to fame with her starring role in the hit series Ozark, admitted that she was a huge fan of Madonna's music from a young age. "I love all of Madonna basically is what I'm trying to say," she exclaimed. "But definitely, I think Borderline and Papa Don't Preach are probably my two favourite Madonna songs. And I just love Madonna's voice on Papa Don't Preach. There's a lot of emotions in that song and I love that."

The project has been in development since 2020, with Madonna, 66, slated to direct and write the film herself. However, the movie seemed to have hit a roadblock, with no further updates or progress announced.

But last month, Garner spoke out on the SmartLess podcast with Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes, hinting that the film was indeed moving forward. She recalled her audition process, which involved dancing in front of Madonna herself. "I kind of just wanted to see if I could do it," she said. "I wasn't a trained dancer and I had to learn how to dance and then dance in front of [Madonna] and convince her that I can dance, basically, and sing. And sing with her!"

Garner's audition impressed Madonna, who was reportedly convinced by the young actress's confidence and determination. As for the film's delays, Garner downplayed them, saying: "Anything that's great, takes a long time."

Madonna has been relentless in her pursuit of bringing her life story to the big screen. In 2023, she began working on a biopic called Who's That Girl, a nod to her 1987 film and song of the same name. However, she eventually pivoted her focus to concentrate on her international Celebration tour.

Last year, Madonna wrote most of the film with Erin Cressida Wilson, and eyed Garner to portray her. But just as things were starting to move forward, Madonna faced a series of setbacks, including frustration from producers and agents who told her that her vision was too big.

In an impassioned Instagram post last November, Madonna vented about the challenges she had faced in bringing her film to life. "After struggling for days in LA, listening to producers and agents tell me why I couldn’t make my film, I realized that everything in my life is going to be challenged," she wrote.

Madonna, who has been working on the project for four years, confessed that she had faced resistance from those around her. "No easy rides for me," she declared. "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."

But Madonna refused to give up on her dream, instead finding renewed motivation after spending time with loved ones. "Spending time with my creative friends was just the fuel I needed to keep going!" she exclaimed. "We all agreed that we need to be even more fearless!!! Art = Survival 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."

And so, with Garner on board as the lead actress, Madonna's biopic is finally taking shape. But what next? Should the film be a series or a feature-length movie? In her Instagram post, Madonna turned to her nearly 20 million followers and asked: "Should I make the story of my life into a series or a feature film?" The answer, it seems, lies in the stars – or at least in the talented hands of Julia Garner.