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Madonna Claims Biopic Was Scrapped Due To ‘Falling Out’ With Universal Over Budget

Mary Varvaris

“I’ve had an extraordinary life. I’ve had a huge life, so I needed a big budget,” Madonna shared.

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Madonna(Credit: Rafael Pavarotti)
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Madonna has discussed the behind-the-scenes happenings of her reported biopic, claiming it was shelved after she had a “falling out” with Universal Studios about budget constraints.

In 2020, it was announced that a biopic about the Material Girl hitmaker had gone into development with the title, Who’s That Girl. Madonna was meant to direct and write the script herself, and Ozark and Weapons actress Julia Garner was set to portray the singer.

Production surrounding the project eventually ceased, and last May, it was announced that a series about Madonna’s life would be heading to Netflix. However, more details stopped there.

Now, Madonna has talked about what happened with the biopic and the “falling out” with the film studio.

“I was supposed to make a movie about my life,” she shared with Interview Magazine. “I worked on my script for two years and spent two years at Universal Studios with the line producers doing budgeting and casting.”

She continued: “We had a falling out, me and Universal, regarding budget because I needed [more money for the film]. I’ve had an extraordinary life. I’ve had a huge life, so I needed a big budget. You know what I mean? It’s not going to be a [small, independent film].”

Opening up about the project’s finances, Madonna said she had planned to shoot the film in Serbia, which would cost the studio “less money.” She alleged that the idea was rejected as Universal was not “into the idea.”

“One of their first reactions was, ‘We don’t believe you’d stay in Serbia more than four days.’ And I said, ‘Did you read the script?’ My whole life has been survival. I’m not going there for a holiday,” Madonna said.

She added that more issues appeared when the biopic became a Netflix project. “I was in limbo when that fell apart, and then Netflix reached out to make a series,” she explained. “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.”

Madonna’s projects don’t end there. Her upcoming album, Confessions II, is scheduled for release on Friday, 3 July, via Warner Records.

The rollout of Confessions II – the continuation of Madonna’s hit-filled 2006 record, Confessions of a Dance Floor – has been met with incredible success. The anthemic I Feel So Free reached #1 on the Billboard Dance Airplay Chart, while in the UK, Bring Your Love with Sabrina Carpenter topped the Club Chart.

Earlier this month, she unveiled CONFESSIONS II – The Film, which was directly posted on YouTube.

The short film offers an immersive, cinematic experience that showcases Madonna’s forthcoming album through the first six songs: I Feel So Free, Good for the Soul, One Step Away, Bring Your Love with Sabrina Carpenter, Danceteria, and Read My Lips featuring Feid.