Julia Garner Won’t Be Playing Madonna In A Biopic After All
The anticipated biopic of Madonna is taking an indefinite, ahem, holiday. The project, which the music legend was going to direct herself, is no longer in development at Universal Pictures,…
Julia Garner attends the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Madonna performs at the MDNA North America Tour Opener at the Wells Fargo Center August 28, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association/Jeff Fusco/Getty ImagesThe anticipated biopic of Madonna is taking an indefinite, ahem, holiday. The project, which the music legend was going to direct herself, is no longer in development at Universal Pictures, multiple sources told Variety.
Speculation over the fate of the movie began instantly after Madonna announced a career-spanning world tour last week. Insiders said Madonna's sole focus right now is the tour. However, she remains committed to making a film about her life one day.
While initially announced in 2020, the development of the film lingered for the next two years. Madonna reportedly worked on two script drafts, with an earlier version written with Oscar winner Diablo Cody. Ozark's Julia Garner was offered the role to portray the pop icon. It followed a grueling weeks-long competition among a group of young actors who attended singing and dancing boot camp. The actors included Florence Pugh, Alexa Demie, Odessa Young and Bebe Rexha.
Madonna has two feature films to her name as a director. 2008's dramedy, Filth and Wisdom and 2011’s historical romance about King Edward VIII, W.E. In 2021, Madonna's Madame X documentary concert film was released. Written and produced by Madonna. That film was shot in January 2020 when she held her concerts in Lisbon, Portugal at the Coliseu dos Recreios. The tour struggled with production delays and Madonna’s recurring hip and knee injuries. The tour ultimately earned strong reviews. But its late start time often angered ticket holders and prompted two class action lawsuits from fans.
Earlier this week, Madonna, 64, posted a video to Instagram thanking her fans for their support and letting them know she isn't taking "any of this" for granted. In the video, Madonna said she feels like the "luckiest girl in the world," adding that she can't wait to "have a moment with each and every one of you on the stage to celebrate the last four decades of my journey."
The Most Anticipated Tours of 2023
2023 will see the return of amazing live performances, with some of the biggest musical artists hitting the road once again. Whether it be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or a long hiatus from performing altogether, musicians have announced world tours and stadium tours alike for their ever-devoted fans. Musical pop legends like Madonna and Janet Jackson have recently announced tour dates on a global scale, while younger artists like Harry Styles and Taylor Swift are hitting the road, too. And we're hoping to hear news about tours from Rihanna and Beyonce (separately).
Take a look below at who we are looking forward to seeing perform in 2023:
Taylor Swift
Terry Wyatt/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 20: NSAI Songwriter-Artist of the Decade honoree, Taylor Swift performs onstage during NSAI 2022 Nashville Songwriter Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 20, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)
Sza
Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Global CitizenACCRA, GHANA - SEPTEMBER 24: Sza performs on stage during Global Citizen Festival 2022: Accra on September 24, 2022 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
Bruce Springsteen
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for SUFHNEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 08: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Bruce Springsteen performs onstage during the 15th Annual Stand Up For Heroes benefit at Alice Tully Hall presented by Bob Woodruff Foundation and NY Comedy Festival on November 08, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for SUFH)
Carrie Underwood
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for dcpLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: Carrie Underwood performs onstage during the 2022 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for dcp)
Paramore
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for CBS Radio Inc.LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Singer Hayley Williams of Paramore performs onstage during CBS Radio's We Can Survive at the Hollywood Bowl on October 24, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for CBS Radio Inc.)
Stevie Nicks
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of FameNEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: Inductee Stevie Nicks performs onstage at the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony - Show at Barclays Center on March 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Janet Jackson
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of FameLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Janet Jackson speaks onstage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Shania Twain
Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 30: Singer-songwriter Shania Twain performs at the National Christmas Tree lighting on the Ellipse on November 30, 2022 in Washington, DC. President Calvin Coolidge participated in the first tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in 1923. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Lizzo
Timothy Norris/Getty ImagesINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Lizzo performs at The Kia Forum on November 18, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/Getty Images)
Ed Sheeran
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of FameLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Ed Sheeran performs on stage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
P!nk
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for dcpLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: P!nk performs onstage during the 2022 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for dcp)
Madonna
Michael Campanella/Getty ImagesTEL AVIV, ISRAEL - MAY 18: Madonna, performs live on stage after the 64th annual Eurovision Song Contest held at Tel Aviv Fairgrounds on May 18, 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
Journey
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 27: Arnel Pineda and Neal Schon of Journey perform at Bridgestone Arena on April 27, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
