Julia Garner is still set to play the Queen of Pop, with Madonna herself directing the film of her life. More here.
It’s been a year and a half since we learned that Universal’s planned Madonna had been scrapped. The original plan saw Juno writer Diablo Cody pen a script that would be directed by Madonna herself. Although the music legend has directed in her time, this was still a pretty unconventional arrangement.
One aspect of the production that looked very promising was the appointment of Julia Garner in the lead role. Garner was chosen by Madonna herself, reportedly picked out of a song and dance bootcamp and anointed by the Queen of Pop. (In our minds, Madonna looked at Garner and asked the immortal words – “Who’s that girl?”)
Who’s That Girl was of course the title of the 1987 song (and accompanying film) that helped push Madonna’s fame levels into the stratosphere during that era. It looks like it might also be the title of the resurrected biopic covering the singer’s life, as Madonna herself has taken to social media to reveal that the project is back on, hinting that she and Erin Cressida Wilson are currently tinkering with the script.
World Of Reel is claiming that Madonna is stil in place to direct.
Garner is still in place to play Madonna too and the actor’s stock has only risen in the last year and a half. During that time she has starred in the excellent thriller The Royal Hotel and has lined up a number of other high profile projects. She’ll next be seen in the Rosemary’s Baby prequel Apartment 7A, coming later this year. Then there’s roles in two highly anticipated horror projects, Wolf Man and Weapons to look forward to. Plus, Garner will become the Silver Surfer for Marvel in the soon-to-shoot Fantastic Four movie.
With a turn as the Queen of Pop looking like it could follow next, the actor is going to have a busy couple of years.
As of yet, we know very little about what eras of Madonna’s life the film will cover. Having Madonna herself involved so very directly will of course make some onlookers point to the flaws in biopics such as Bohemian Rhapsody as examples of how such an approach can be accused of becoming a vanity project.
However, Madonna built her legend on busting taboos and being incredibly open about who she was. Can this project can retain that defining character trait, all these years on? It looks like we’re going to find out.
We’ll bring you more on this one as we hear it.
