Madonna Biopic Starring Ozark's Julia Garner Axed

Variety reports that the rumoured, then confirmed biopic about pop superstar Madonna has been axed. The news arrives after the Like A Prayer singer announced her massive Celebration world tour last week. 

Sources have told Variety that while Madonna plans to make a film about her life one day, her priority right now is the world tour.

In September 2020, Madonna announced that she would direct and co-write an upcoming biopic based on the singer's life and career.

Universal Pictures announced the news, revealing that the untitled project would also be co-written by Academy Award winner Diablo Cody (Juno, United States Of Tara, Young Adult) and produced by Amy Pascal (Little Women, Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Post).

“I want to convey the incredible journey that life has taken me on as an artist, a musician, a dancer – a human being, trying to make her way in this world,” Madonna said.

“The focus of this film will always be music. Music has kept me going, and art has kept me alive. There are so many untold and inspiring stories, and who better to tell it than me. It’s essential to share the roller coaster ride of my life with my voice and vision.”

Rumours of who would be cast in the lead role circulated since the initial announcement, with Julia Garner, the star of Netflix hit series Ozark and acclaimed indie film The Assistant, reportedly offered the role and considered the most likely choice to fill Madonna's shoes. Entertainment Weekly reported that Uncut Gems star Julia Fox was offered the part of Madonna's longtime friend, actress Debi Mazar.

Neither Madonna, Garner, nor Universal Pictures' representatives have commented on the matter.

The news about Madonna's Celebration world tour arrived after a high-up source revealed to Billboard that she was planning a "massive" world tour - or, as one executive put it, "It’s going to be the biggest tour she’s ever done," featuring stadiums and arenas. The tour is with Live Nation and her music manager, Guy Oseary.  

Madonna's 2023 tour will be her first-ever live retrospective. The singer will reportedly perform music from her extensive discography, from her 1983 debut to her most recent album, 2019's Madame X. She's also rumoured to perform multiple nights at London's O2 Arena. So far, that rumour was incorrect, as she's only billed to perform at the O2 once.

"I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for," Madonna wrote on her website.

The pop music icon hasn't toured Australia since 2016, following a 23-year wait between visits. We've only been included during 1994’s The Girlie Show and the Rebel Heart tour (2015/2016). As Out In Perth reports, Madonna has "never ever played a show in Perth."