Julia Garner hopeful for Madonna biopic, as she remains attached to the paused project, 'Who's That Girl'.
Julia Garner remains hopeful that she will portray Madonna in the long-awaited biopic, confirming in 2025 that the project is still intended to move forward. This update comes after the film, originally announced in 2020, was placed on hold by Universal Pictures, leaving fans uncertain about its future.
The focus keyword Julia Garner Madonna biopic update is central as the actress, known for her work in Ozark, shares insights on the film’s progress and her connection to the role. Garner was cast in 2022 but the film’s status has been unclear since then.
The Audition and Preparation Process
Garner revealed on the SmartLess podcast that the film“is supposed to still happen,” expressing her continued enthusiasm for playing the legendary singer. A longtime fan of Madonna, she auditioned as soon as she learned the project was underway.
She described the experience, saying,
“It just came about… like I knew that they were doing a project, making a movie about it, and then I went out to audition. I kind of just wanted to see if I could do it.”
—Julia Garner, Actress
Despite lacking formal dance training, Garner worked to master Madonna’s signature movements, channeling her energy in the audition. The actress reflected on her mindset during the process:
“Which is like convince you that she deserves… to be in this room. And I owned it. I was like, ‘You can take it or leave it, but if you leave it, if I leave, then that’s on you.’”
Behind the Scenes: Script Development and Delays
In July of the previous year, Madonna shared updates on the biopic’s script, which carries the working title Who’s That Girl—a reference to her 1987 film and song. She posted on Instagram about collaborating on the script, commenting,
Image of: Julia Garner
“I Need A-lot of Bandz to make this ……….. OKAY. (Story of my life) (sic).”
—Madonna, Musician and Actress
Screenwriters Diablo Cody and Erin Cressida Wilson were enlisted early in the process to assist with the screenplay, supporting Madonna’s vision. Despite these efforts, production was paused indefinitely at Universal Pictures in early 2023.
Following the pause, Madonna embarked on her Celebration Tour in October 2023, commemorating 40 years in music. Upon completing the tour in June 2024, reports indicated that she resumed work on the script, aiming to finalize it alongside Universal executives.
Ongoing Collaboration and Creative Control
An industry source relayed to The Sun’s Bizarre column that Madonna has remained focused on bringing the biopic to life:
“Madonna has only just finished her tour but in her mind it is on to the next project and fulfilling her dream of getting the biopic made.”
The insider added,
“Julia is still her lead actress and they have remained in touch for the past year, talking through ideas. They are committed to creating some magic.”
—Industry Insider
Madonna has emphasized her desire to retain full creative control by both writing and directing the film. She explained to Variety that her intention was to present her story authentically, without interference.
“I’ve had an extraordinary life, I must make an extraordinary film,”
she said.
She further remarked on her motivation to take charge of the project:
“So I put my foot in the door and said, ‘No one’s going to tell my story, but me.’”
—Madonna
What Lies Ahead for the Biopic
Although the biopic faced significant delays, the continued involvement of Julia Garner and Madonna’s personal dedication suggests that the project remains alive. Fans eagerly await the release of Who’s That Girl, anticipating a deeply personal and compelling portrayal of the Material Girl’s remarkable career.
The hope is that with the script’s revisions underway and the key creative team intact, production will resume soon, bringing the story of one of pop music’s most iconic figures to the big screen with the authenticity and intensity it deserves.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Julia Garner have a disability?
A. When she was young, Julia Garner had epilepsy and faced challenges with learning. She went to Eagle Hill School, a specialized private school in Greenwich, Connecticut, designed for kids with unique learning needs. At 14, she started acting classes to help her become less shy.
Q. What did Anna Delvey think of Julia Garner?
A. Anna Sorokin, also known as Delvey, described Garner as a friendly person. She mentioned that Garner visited her once and found her to be a kind person. During their single meeting, Delvey asked the actress to mimic her well-known accent.
