Julia Garner, Florence Pugh Among Contenders for Madonna Biopic

Who will play Madonna in the upcoming biopic about the world-famous singer? Producers are still working that out, and while we’re getting closer to having the film’s Madonna officially cast, some names in contention for the part have been revealed. Among them is Julia Garner, who’s getting a lot of buzz lately with her starring role in Netflix’s Inventing Anna and the final episodes of Ozark set to drop later this month. Florence Pugh, who’s made a big splash in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by appearing as Yelena Belova in Black Widow and Hawkeye, is also up for the role.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the search for Madonna is being led by casting director Carmen Cuba. The process of casting the iconic singer has been meticulous as Cuba is so determined to find the perfect person for the part. After whittling away many hopefuls, a handful of contenders remain where they will advance to the next round, which has been referred to as a “Madonna Bootcamp.” All in all, it has taken several months to get to this point.

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Garner and Pugh are still battling with several other contenders for the coveted role and the race to find Madonna isn’t over just yet. Also in the running are Alexa Demie (Euphoria), Odessa Young (Mothering Sunday), and Emma Laird (Mayor of Kingstown). There have also been efforts made to have musicians read for the part to potentially make the switch to starring in feature films, such as Bebe Rexha and Sky Ferreira.

The audition process has been described as “grueling,” with the Madonna hopefuls sometimes participating for up to 11 hours a day. This includes working with Madonna’s choreographer, after which they’d be working directly with Madonna herself. Potentials were subjected to callbacks where they’d have readings and singing auditions with Madonna.

Madonna is as hands-on as can be with this biopic, serving as director and co-writer, penning the screenplay with Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary); Diablo Cody was originally set to co-write with Madonna but has since exited the project. Amy Pascal is producing the feature. The feature comes from Universal Pictures with a planned wide theatrical release.

Related: Madonna Will Direct Her Own Biopic from a Script Co-Written by Diablo Cody

Evan Rachel Wood Is Playing Madonna In the “Weird Al” Biopic

Roku

The role of Madonna has oddly enough just been cast, but it’s for a biopic about another musician who rose to fame in the 1980s. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is in development at Roku with Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe playing the famous parodist, who once spoofed Madonna with his hit song, “Like a Surgeon.” Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld) plays Madonna in the biopic, which is a fictional take on Yankovic’s life, and a first look image of Wood in the role has been released.

As for Madonna’s biopic, a release date hasn’t yet been set, with the project still in its earlier phases of production. Finding the right person for the lead role is said to be crucial moving forward, but it sounds like Madonna is getting closer and closer to finding her main star.

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Jeremy Dick
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Jeremy Dick has been a writer and editor since 2014. He is a self-professed horror expert, pop culture enthusiast, and Bob Saget fanatic.

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