Julia Garner Says Madonna Film Status Shifts Hourly
The actress says the biopic is not yet finalized but remains a personal priority.
By Amina Howard ·
Julia Garner stated on Monday that the status of the long-delayed Madonna biopic changes constantly, describing the project as fluid rather than fixed. The actress spoke to CBS about the film’s uncertain timeline, noting that the situation is in a state of flux.
"I don’t know. Every hour it changes, in a way," Garner said. She emphasized that the decision rests with others. "It’s not up to me. I would love for the movie to get made, obviously. But I also feel whatever happens, I made a great friend." Garner added, "I love Madonna. I think she’s incredible."
The biopic has faced delays since its initial announcement in 2020. In July 2025, Garner told hosts Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, and Jason Bateman on the "SmartLess" podcast that she was still set to star as the seven-time Grammy winner. "That’s supposed to still happen," she said at the time. She noted that she is "such a fan of Madonna" and that she "grew up listening" to the pop star’s music. Garner assured listeners that "anything that’s great…takes a long time."
Universal Pictures reportedly put the film on pause indefinitely in 2023, ahead of Madonna’s world tour. The studio had previously scrapped the project during that period. The actress landed the role in 2022 after a demanding preparation process that included a singing and dancing boot camp. Other performers reported to have been considered for the lead included Florence Pugh, Alexa Demie, Odessa Young, and Bebe Rexha.
Madonna was set to direct the film. Two writers, Diablo Cody and Cressida Wilson, reportedly penned different scripts for the project. Cody’s writing sessions with Madonna were widely shared on social media. The film remains in development without a confirmed release date.
Garner is currently promoting her role in the Netflix limited series "The Altrusists." The eight-episode series stars Anthony Boyle as Sam Bankman-Fried and Garner as Caroline Ellison. The show depicts the two as ambitious idealists who attempted to reshape the global financial system before being accused of stealing $8 billion. The series arrives on the streaming platform on Nov. 19.
