Julia Garner Says Madonna Biopic Still Needs to Be Made

Actress Julia Garner has expressed hope that the long-delayed Madonna biopic will eventually reach the screen, despite the project being shelved by Universal Pictures in 2023.

"I think the movie has to get made," Garner said, though she added, "But we'll see..." The 32-year-old was set to star as Madonna in the film, which went through multiple script drafts by writers including Diablo Cody and Erin Cressida Wilson. Madonna herself was attached to direct.

Madonna later explained that the scale of her life story required a substantial budget. "I've had an extraordinary life. I've had a huge life, so I needed a big budget," she told Interview in June 2026. She noted that she spent two years working on the script and another two at Universal handling budgeting and casting.

Garner's involvement dates back to 2022, when she was reported to be Madonna's top choice for the role. She had already begun extensive preparation when the project was halted in January 2023. Despite the setback, the two have remained close. In December 2023, Garner joined Madonna onstage during a Brooklyn tour stop, and in July 2025, she said on the 'SmartLess' podcast that the movie was "supposed to still happen."

Madonna has also teased a script under the working title 'Who's That Girl', referencing her 1987 film and hit song.

While the biopic remains in limbo, Garner and Madonna recently collaborated on an episode of the second season of 'The Studio', where Garner played a fictionalised version of herself. Garner described the experience as unforgettable, joking about the Italian food in Venice but praising the city. She also called Madonna "one of the funniest people I've ever met."

Garner is now in casual text contact with Madonna. Meanwhile, she is set to star in and executive produce the Apple TV+ series 'Guilty Creatures' and co-star with Charlize Theron in the film 'Tyrant'.