Julia Garner recently addressed questions about the status of the Madonna biopic, confirming that production, which was previously halted, is now moving forward again in 2024. The film, initially announced by Universal Pictures in 2020 and temporarily canceled in 2023, centers on the life and career of the iconic pop star Madonna. Garner’s update offers clarity on the future of this highly anticipated project.
The 31-year-old actress, known for her recent role as the Silver Surfer in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, discussed the biopic during an appearance on the SmartLess podcast hosted by Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes. When asked whether the movie was still happening, Garner confirmed, “That’s supposed to still happen.” She also revealed the personal connection she felt to Madonna and how she earned the role of portraying the singer.
Garner explained her journey to landing the part, stating,
I was such a fan of Madonna’s. Um, you know, I grew up listening to Madonna. It just came about. I knew 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, because I wasn’t a trained dancer, and I had to learn how to dance and then dance in front of her and convince her that I can dance, basically, and sing. And sing with her!
The actress’s dedication to capturing Madonna’s essence included mastering both dance and singing to win over the pop icon.
Further reflecting on the audition experience, Garner added,
OK, what would Madonna do? Which is convince you that she deserves, you know, to be in this room, and I owned it. I was kind of like, ‘You can take it or leave it, but if you leave it, if I leave, then that’s on you.’
Her confidence illustrates the determination Garner brought to embodying such a legendary figure.
Julia Garner originally joined the project in 2022, but after the film was shelved for some time, production restarted in 2024 on what is believed to be titled Who’s That Girl. This revival signals new momentum for the biopic, which has drawn considerable attention from fans of both Garner and Madonna.
The biopic’s progress matters because it offers a fresh cinematic look at Madonna’s career and influence, with Garner’s casting promising an authentic portrayal. As filming resumes, audiences can expect deeper insight into the music star’s life and legacy through this upcoming feature.
