Queen of Pop Reveals Why Her Biopic Was Canceled
Madonna has finally revealed why her long-anticipated biopic was shut down at Universal.
In Interview Magazine, the iconic pop star addressed why the movie of her life was reportedly stalled in January 2023.
"I was supposed to make a movie about my life," Madonna told the publication. "I worked on my script for two years and spent two years at Universal Studios with the line producers doing budgeting and casting."
The hitmaker then admitted that she "had a falling out, me and Universal, regarding budget." The film was expected to star Weapons actress Julia Garner. Madonna had handpicked the star herself.
The 'Vogue' singer believed she needed a big budget to bring her "extraordinary" and huge life to the big screen, but Universal Studios "couldn't get their heads around it."
While we might not get to see Julia play the performer on the big screen soon, the pair were spotted in Venice filming together for Season 2 of Seth Rogan‘s Apple TV show The Studio.
Madonna even said that she found a way to make the biopic for less money abroad, but Universal Studios still had its doubts.
"Maybe they just didn't believe in me. 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," she said.
The 'Hung Up' hitmaker then said Netflix reached out to adapt her life into a TV series, but she couldn't use the script she had written unless she brought it "for an extortionist's price."
Now, Madonna has turned her hand back to the thing she knows and loves best: Music.
"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 67-year-old said. Confessions II, Madonna's first studio album since 2019's Madame X, is out on July 3.
Related: Madonna Doesn't Want to See This at Her Future Concerts, Issues Stern Warning to Fans
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 5:37 PM.