Is the Madonna Biopic Still Alive? Julia Garner Says Its Future Keeps Changing

The Madonna biopic starring Julia Garner has become one of Hollywood’s most closely watched unfinished projects. Since it was first announced in 2020, fans have waited for the Queen of Pop’s life story to reach theaters, and the film has yet to shoot.

The project got off to a promising start. Universal won the script in a multi-studio bidding war, Madonna was set to direct, and Garner landed the lead role in 2022 after a grueling process that included a full singing-and-dancing boot camp. In early 2023, however, Universal stopped developing the film as Madonna shifted her focus to the Celebration Tour.

Now Garner has offered a new update, and it isn’t a definitive one. During a November 8 appearance on CBS Sunday Morning with Anthony Mason, the 32-year-old actress was asked whether the film will ever happen.

She admitted she doesn’t know and said the situation seems to change by the hour. Garner explained that the decision isn’t hers to make, though she would obviously love for the movie to be made.

She also looked on the bright side. Whatever happens, Garner said, she gained a great friend in Madonna, whom she called incredible. She also credited the singer with teaching her a great deal about work.

Julia Garner was handpicked by Madonna to portray the pop icon in a biopic that has since been shelved, following an intense audition process that required her to sing, dance and act. While the film’s future remains uncertain, Garner says the experience led to a close friendship with Madonna: "She taught me properly, like, how to work."
— CBS Sunday Morning 🌞 (@CBSSunday) November 8, 2026

Madonna has been candid about what went wrong. In the summer issue of Interview magazine, she said the biopic collapsed after a falling out with Universal over its budget. She explained that her extraordinary life needed a big budget to tell it properly.

She tried to find a solution. Madonna proposed filming in Serbia to reduce costs, but said the studio remained unconvinced. Two writers had worked on the project at different points. Diablo Cody, whose writing sessions with Madonna were widely shared on social media, and Cressida Wilson both reportedly worked on scripts.

The story then moved toward streaming. Madonna said she was left in limbo when the film fell apart, until Netflix reached out about turning it into a series. That brought its own obstacles, including the fact that she couldn’t use the Universal script unless she bought it back from the studio.

Julia Garner talks to @WMag about playing Madonna in the upcoming biopic. https://t.co/Uw1KnvpphG
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 3, 2025

Shawn Levy was reported to be developing the limited series with her, but Variety reported in June that Garner was not attached to the Netflix version. Some outlets have since reported that the series is no longer in development either.

Even without a film, the 2 have continued working together. Garner appeared in the music video for Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s song ‘Bring Your Love’. They also have a playful project on the way.

Madonna and Garner will appear in the second season of Apple TV’s ‘The Studio’, where a fictional Madonna biopic is a key storyline. They filmed scenes in Venice for an arc in which the fictional movie premieres at the Venice Film Festival.

Garner has stayed optimistic throughout. Her last update came in July 2025 on the ‘SmartLess’ podcast, where she told Will Arnett, Sean Hayes and Jason Bateman that the movie was still supposed to happen and that she grew up listening to Madonna’s music.

For now, there have been no official updates about the movie or a production schedule. Madonna, 68, has said she remains committed to telling her life story on screen one day, but whether that happens with Garner, Universal or another partner is still unclear.

The story of the biopic has become almost as dramatic as the career it was meant to cover. Until something changes, fans will have to settle for Garner’s hopeful words and a fictional version on ‘The Studio’.