Madonna Says Her Self-Directed Biopic Fell Apart at Universal and Netflix Over High Budget and Creative Control

Madonna’s track record as a filmmaker leaves much to be desired. After delivering the critically panned “Filth and Wisdom” and the almost unwatchable “W.E.”, for the last few years, she has decided to try her hand at directing an autobiographical film about her own life.

Given this is Madonna, she wanted full creative control, including directing and writing duties. It now seems as though Universal has passed on the project, and so has Netflix, which wanted to turn it into a limited series with producer Shawn Levy.

In a chat with Interview Magazine, Madonna has seemingly given up on this project, and she blames the high budget that was required to make it.

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. You know what I mean?

She then tried to turn it into a Netflix limited series, which only further complicated the matter since she couldn’t use the script she wrote for Universal, who now own it.

I was in limbo when that fell apart, and then Netflix reached out to make a series. That was a whole other long process, because 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. 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. This went on for another eight or nine months. I was like, “Good thing I have another job because I need to work, I need to create. I need to do what I was put on this earth to do.”

The project was meant to center on her own life story, with Julia Garner slated to play Madonna.

It’s understandable to wonder why a major studio like Universal wouldn’t want to gamble on Madonna writing and directing her own biopic. Julia Garner’s casting, at least, felt like a smart choice — she does resemble a younger version of the pop star.

Tentatively titled “Who’s That Girl,” referencing both her 1987 movie and hit single, the project was originally backed by Universal in 2020. Diablo Cody, known for “Juno,” worked on an early script draft, but she eventually exited. Erin Cressida Wilson stepped in next, with Madonna credited as a co-writer. That version also stalled. Then, Madonna took it upon herself to write the entire screenplay.

Now, if Madonna were to step back, let an experienced filmmaker take over, and observe the creative process from the sidelines, there’s little doubt Hollywood would be interested in making a biopic about her life. However, her preference for maintaining full creative control and directing the project herself has made the process more complicated and difficult to advance.