Full Breakdown
Madonna’s Biopic Collapse: Budget Dispute Halts Film, Sparks Series Pivot
6/22/2026, 10:44:38 PM
The Biopic’s Rise and Fall
In 2020 Universal Pictures announced a feature-length biopic of pop icon Madonna, tentatively titled *Who’s That Girl*. Madonna was set to co-write and direct, with “Ozark” star Julia Garner attached to portray her younger self. After two years of script development and two more years of budgeting and casting with Universal line producers, the project was abandoned following a budget impasse.
Background & Creative Team
Universal won a multi-studio auction for the film in 2021. Early drafts involved Oscar-winner Diablo Cody and screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson; Madonna eventually completed the screenplay herself. The casting process featured an intensive “boot camp” that secured Garner for the lead role.
Timeline of Key Milestones
- 2020 – Universal announces Madonna biopic, working title *Who’s That Girl*.
- 2021 – Universal secures rights in a multi-studio auction.
- Late 2022 – Project placed in turnaround; insiders note no script version under 180 pages.
- 2023 – Reports confirm the film has been scrapped.
- May 2025 – Madonna partners with Netflix and producer Shawn Levy to develop a limited series.
- June 2026 – Madonna details the budget dispute in *Interview* magazine; Apple TV+ series *The Studio* Season 2 includes a fictionalized premiere of the abandoned film.
Budget Dispute and Negotiations
Madonna insisted the biopic required a “big budget” to depict her “extraordinary” life, while Universal “couldn’t get their heads around it.” She proposed filming in Serbia to reduce costs, but studio executives reportedly doubted she would stay more than four days. When Netflix later approached her, Madonna said she could not reuse the Universal script without paying an “extortionist’s price.”
Official Statements & Responses
Madonna repeatedly summarized her position: she spent four years developing the project, but a “falling out” over financing halted progress. A Universal spokesperson did not immediately return requests for comment. Netflix has confirmed interest in a limited series but has offered no public timeline.
Criticism & Opposition
Industry insiders highlighted practical concerns: the script’s length exceeded 180 pages, raising doubts about commercial viability. Some observers suggested the budget demands may have outstripped the market expectations for a music biopic, despite the genre’s recent box-office success.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No specific budget figure has been disclosed, and Universal has not issued an official statement. The status of the Netflix series remains unclear, with no release date announced and ongoing negotiations over script ownership.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was supposed to make a movie about my life. I worked on my script for two years and spent two years at Universal Studios with the line producers doing budgeting and casting. We had a falling out, me and Universal, regarding budget because I needed—I’ve had an extraordinary life. I’ve had a huge life, so I needed a big budget.” — Madonna, *Interview*
- “I was supposed to make a movie about my life. I worked on my script for two years and spent two years at Universal Studios with the line producers doing budgeting and casting. We had a falling out, me and Universal, regarding budget because I needed—I’ve had an extraordinary life. I’ve had a huge life, so I needed a big budget.” — Madonna, *Interview*
- “I found a way to make it for less money in Serbia, but I don’t think they were into the idea … one of their first reactions was, ‘We don’t believe you’d stay in Serbia more than four days,'” — Madonna, *Interview*
- “I couldn’t use the script I had with Universal unless I bought it from them for an extortionist’s price, even though I wrote it. Don’t ask.” — Madonna, *Interview*
- “I started trying to understand how making a series would work. It’s a very, very different process. You have to meet a lot of writers and find the right showrunner, and I couldn’t find one.” — Madonna, *Interview*
What’s Next
Shawn Levy’s Netflix series remains in early development, with casting still under consideration. Apple TV+ will feature a fictionalized version of the shelved film in *The Studio* Season 2. Meanwhile, Madonna’s upcoming album *Confessions II*—released July 3—was inspired by the biopic’s delays, marking her return to music while the screen project stays in limbo.
