Madonna says producers want to 'downsize' her biopic, teases potential TV series instead (original) (raw)

Madonna 'struggling' over producers wanting to 'downsize' biopic, teases potential TV series instead: 'We cannot shrink'

Madonna shared an impassioned post alleging that producers and agents attempted to force her to "down-scale" and "think smaller" for a planned film about her life.

Published on November 18, 2024 02:07PM EST

Despite spending four decades as the Queen of Pop, Madonna has revealed she spent days "struggling" with "producers and agents" attempting to downplay the scope of her long-gestating, self-directed biopic about her life set to star Julia Garner.

Madonna shared an impassioned message to Instagram Monday, in which she revealed that she spent days "listening to producers and agents tell me why I couldn’t make my film" after four years of work on the project, which included an initial draft with Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody and subsequent revisions by Erin Cressida Wilson — all before Madonna paused the film (then slated for release via Universal) to embark on her Celebration tour in 2023.

The 66-year-old said that those in power wanted her to "downsize-down scale -think smaller" with regard to the project, which reportedly spans her early career in New York City through to her rise to prominence throughout the late '80s and early '90s.

Madonna.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

"I realized that everything in my life is going to be challenged," Madonna continued. "No easy rides for me. 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."

She added that she spent time with other creatives and friends to rejuvenate inspiration in approaching the project, and that they all came to the conclusion to "be even more fearless" in their attempts to get the film made.

"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," Madonna said, before offering a cryptic teaser for the film's future in the form of a question to her fans: "Should I make the story of my life into a series or a feature film," she asked. "Think before you answer !!"

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to representatives for Madonna for comment.

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After Cody's work on the film ended, EW exclusively reported in January 2022 that Uncut Gems star Julia Fox met with Madonna to discuss potentially playing her life-long friend, actress Debi Mazar, who first met the performer in an elevator at New York City's Danceteria nightclub in the '80s, in the movie. Fox recently revealed that she's not involved with the movie in its current iteration, however.

Following the conclusion of her Celebration tour, Madonna announced in July that she would return to work on the biopic, and shared a photo that showed the film's potential title, Who's That Girl, written at the top of a screenplay page. If the film moves forward with that title, it would be a clear nod to both Madonna's 1987 comedy film and accompanying No. 1-charting soundtrack single of the same name.