What happened to Madonna's biopic starring Julia Garner?

In the beginning of 2023, there was a lot of hype surrounding the up-and-coming biopic of the music legend, Madonna. The pop sensation was going to direct the movie herself. Now, by the end of 2023, it seems the entire project has been stopped in its tracks. Has the film been scrapped completely?

Multiple sources have told Variety that the biopic is 'no longer in development at Universal Pictures'. The studios and Madonna herself were approached for comment, but declined to confirm whether or not it was still in production. The movie's star, Julia Garner (pictured), also had nothing to share on the matter.

Variety have put the hiatus on the project down to the world tour the singer had announced. This tour sold out in some of the world's largest cities in minutes and sources close to the music icon said to Variety that, in the end, music is Madonna's main focus. Saying that, the pause on the biopic may only be a temporary one as the same sources reveal it is still the singer's dream to make it a reality one day.

According to Variety earlier in 2023, actress Julia Garner had been offered the role of Madonna in the new film of the same name. Garner (New York, 1994) was among the favorites to get the role. The American actress starred in the popular Netflix series 'Ozark' and 'Inventing Anna', where she proved that she has great talent.

The actress became known thanks to the Netflix series 'Ozark'. For her role in this crime drama, she has won two Emmy Awards and nominations for a number of other major awards. However, for the Madonna movie she had to compete with many others. What's more, Madonna herself was very hands-on in the audition process.

Madonna wanted to join the popular culture of creating biopics. Many awaited the legendary singer's life being told on the big screen and everyone asked the same question: who would be the actress chosen to represent one of the music industry's biggest ever names?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the auditions to find the perfect actress were grueling sessions of up to 11 hours, with intense dance classes (held by Madonna's own choreographer) and singing lessons (supervised by the artist herself).

Madonna was determined to find the perfect actress. At one point, she named Florence Pugh one of her favorites. Still, all candidates for the role were quality performers.

Who was considered for the role and who didn't make the cut?

Florence Pugh (Oxford, 1996), many thought, was one of the most likely to take the role of Madonna. In addition to a certain physical resemblance, the actress is certainly not lacking in talent, as she has already demonstrated in her short but successful career.

The actress rose to fame for her impeccable role in 'Lady Macbeth' (2016) and in 2019 she was nominated for a BAFTA and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Greta Gerwig's version of 'Little Women'. She is also one of the newest members of the Marvel Universe for her role in 'Black Widow' (2021).

Alexa Demie (Los Angeles, 1990), who plays Maddy Perez in Zendaya's 'Euphoria' series, has the attitude and sexiness to bring the queen of pop to life. No doubt about it. But it wasn't enough.

Demie, who is of Latin descent, has a big plus. She sings beautifully and in fact, she has two singles: 'Girl Like Me' and 'Leopard Limo'.

Physically, Odessa Young (Sydney, 1998) could have also fit the bill, as she is very reminiscent of Madonna in her younger years, but her failure to get the role was possibly the lack of 'oomph', compared to the diva.

The Australian actress' most notable roles so far include 'The Daughter' (2015), 'Looking for Grace' (2015), and 'Shirley' (2020).

Emma Laird (Scotland, 1998) was included in the betting list but was perhaps one of the least likely due to her short career so far in front of the camera.

The British actress's main role is as Iris in the US series 'Mayor of Kingstown' (2021), created and directed by Hugh Dillon and Taylor Sheridan.

The Albanian-born singer Bebe Rexha (New York, 1989) had also made it onto the list of possible Mini-Madonnas. Thoughts on why she didn't get the part? She has no acting experience.

However, it seems that in this Madonna biopic, the musical part would be coming out as the most important, so Bebe Rexha could have had the opportunity to show her talent.

Sky Ferreira (Los Angeles, 1992) is a model, singer, and actress. So, in principle, she had everything it takes to take on the role of Madonna. Even an obvious physical resemblance.

In addition to a solid career as a singer, she has already wrapped ten films and appeared in the new version of David Lynch's legendary series 'Twin Peaks' in 2017.

Sydney Sweeney (Washington, 1997) plays Cassie Howard in 'Euphoria', her most recent work. But, she has many other recognizable works on both the small and big screens.

Aside from 'Euphoria' (2019-2022), she has worked in series like 'Heroes' (2009), 'Criminal Minds' (2009), '90210' (2010), 'Grey's Anatomy' (2014), 'Pretty Little Liars' (2017), and 'The Handmaid's Tale' (2018). In film, she has almost thirty credits since 2009 - the most recognizable being Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019).

The well-established Evan Rachel Wood (North Carolina, 1987) was mentioned as one of the last names to be added to the list of candidates for Madonna. And the reason is that the American actress, model, and singer had already stepped into Madonna's shoes in another biopic.

Evan Rachel Wood already plays Madonna in her early years as an artist, back in the eighties, in the biopic 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story', about the comedian Alfred Matthew Yankovic (Daniel Radcliffe).

Before the world tour was announced, Madonna was to direct the biopic herself. The script, which she began writing with Diablo Cody (Oscar winner for 'Juno'), was being finished by Erin Cressida Wilson ('The Girl on the Train'). Carmen Cuba was in charge of directing the casting process. According to @FilmUpdates on Twitter, the movie may have been titled' Little Sparrow'.

“I want to convey the incredible journey that life has taken me on as an artist, a musician, a dancer – a human being, trying to make her way in this world,” said Madonna in a press release. “It’s essential to share the roller coaster ride of my life with my voice and vision.”