Madonna Biopic Reportedly Scrapped Because the Singer Wanted a “Grittier” Tone

The long-planned Madonna biopic was unexpectedly axed earlier this month, with reports now detailing the cancellation was due to the singer's concerns over the script. The iconic pop star, who just announced her Celebration tour, reportedly butted heads with Universal Studios over the film's tone. A friend of Madonna confirmed with Page Six that Madonna "wants something much grittier" than the studio's "pop and light" vision. 

Fans speculated trouble with the Universal Studios project after the film's muse herself advertised her lengthy Celebration tour without much word about the biopic's future. From reports of the grueling "boot-camp" audition process to rumors of screenwriters quitting after feuding with the Queen of Pop, the biopic seemed doomed. According to insiders, Universal Pictures' cancellation of the film cost the company more than $10 million. 

The biopic cast Ozark star Julia Garner in the titular role, who won the role in an intensive audition process. The months-long casting allegedly placed vying actresses like Sydney Sweeny and Florence Pugh in dance intensives, but Garner nabbed the ill-fated lead. 

The biopic pitted Oscar-winning screenwriter of Juno fame Diablo Cody against the "Material Girl," with Cody quitting the film after finding Madonna's wishes of "total control" difficult to collaborate with. 

"Madonna did herself no favors by acting weird on social media during this entire process," said a studio insider to The Sun. 

Despite Universal Studios' financial wounds, the pop singer comes out unscathed. Madonna has reportedly shifted focus to her career-spanning tour, guaranteed to make the "Like A Virgin" singer a small fortune. 
 

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