Madonna Directing Own Biopic To Prevent "Misogynistic Men" Telling Her Story

29 July 2022 | 10:04 am | Brenton Harris

"I’ve had an extraordinary life, I must make an extraordinary film. It was also a preemptive strike because a lot of people were trying to make movies about me. Mostly misogynistic men. So I put my foot in the door and said, “No one’s going to tell my story, but me.”

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Madonna has revealed one of her primary inspirations for directing her own biopic, preventing "misogynistic men" from mistelling her story. The pop icon shared her thoughts on making the choice to direct the currently untitled Universal Pictures project in a recent interview with entertainment publication Variety. Asked directly why she chose to direct the biopic, Madonna responds. 

"I’ve had an extraordinary life, I must make an extraordinary film. It was also a preemptive strike because a lot of people were trying to make movies about me. Mostly misogynistic men. So I put my foot in the door and said, “No one’s going to tell my story, but me.” 

The interview is our latest insight into the status and intentions of the long-awaited biopic and confirms that the film is very much a work-in-progress. Madonna was first confirmed as the director in 2020. At the time, the artist shared her initial inspiration for taking the directorial role.

“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."

The biopic will 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). 

Rumours of who will be cast in the lead role have 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 have reported that Uncut Gems star Julia Fox has been offered the role of Madonna's longtime friend, actress Debi Mazar. 

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Madonna released the 16-track Finally Enough Love in June, with a 50-track version set to drop on August 19th, The Music recently took a look through the superstar's most infamous and iconic looks, creating a gallery that displays her incredible influence on pop and fashion.

Madonna also made news recently with a somewhat controversial NFT collaboration that saw her "give birth to a tree".