Madonna has opened up about her frustrations with producers and agents who urged her to “downscale” her ambitious self-directed biopic. In a candid Instagram post, the Queen of Pop shared how these pressures led her to reevaluate the project, even hinting at the possibility of transforming it into a TV series.
The planned film, set to star Julia Garner, has been in development for years, charting Madonna’s rise from her early days in New York City to her global superstardom in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Despite collaborating with Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody on an initial draft—later revised by Erin Cressida Wilson—the project was put on hold in 2023 as Madonna focused on her Celebration tour.
Now 66, Madonna revealed she spent “days struggling” with industry figures who tried to convince her to scale back her vision. “They wanted me to downsize—downscale—think smaller,” she wrote. “But my life wasn’t normal, so I can’t make this in the normal way.”
Determined to maintain the project’s bold scope, Madonna sought creative inspiration from friends and collaborators. “We decided to be even more fearless,” she said. “We cannot shrink and make ourselves smaller. If you want something badly enough, the universe will conspire to help you achieve it.”
In her Instagram post, Madonna also posed a thought-provoking question to her fans: “Should I make the story of my life into a series or a feature film? Think before you answer!”
Julia Fox, who had been considered for the role of Madonna’s long-time friend Debi Mazar, confirmed earlier this year that she’s no longer involved with the project. Mazar, a fellow New Yorker, met Madonna in the 1980s at the Danceteria nightclub, and the two have remained close ever since.
Despite setbacks, Madonna remains committed to telling her story. After her tour ended in July, she teased her return to the biopic, sharing an image of a screenplay page with the potential title Who’s That Girl. If finalized, the title would pay homage to her 1987 comedy film and its chart-topping soundtrack single.
Whether the biopic becomes a film or a series, one thing is clear: Madonna won’t compromise on her vision, continuing to push boundaries as she has throughout her iconic career.