Madonna to Helm Her Own Biopic for Universal

“Nobody knows what I know and what I have seen. Only I can tell my story. Anyone else who tries is a charlatan and a fool looking for instant gratification without doing the work,” Madonna said of Universal’s previous attempts to make a movie about her life and career, and now it seems that the studio is in full agreement, as it’s been confirmed that she will direct its upcoming biopic, and pen it with Jennifer’s Body and Juno writer Diablo Cody.

“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,” said Madonna in a statement. “The focus of this film will always be music. Music has kept me going and art has kept me alive. There are so many untold and inspiring stories, and who better to tell it than me? It’s essential to share the roller coaster ride of my life with my voice and vision.”

Universal has been tinkering with the project for years, and a previous script in hand by Elyse Hollander sought to tell the story behind the making of Madonna’s Blonde Ambition album in the early 80s. It was to follow her attempts to get the record released in New York City despite many rejections and dismissals from music industry jags. Since Brett Ratner’s Ratpac production company was behind that effort, you can imagine a lot has changed behind the scenes, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’s Amy Pascal is now helping Madonna produce this new project under her Pascal Pictures outfit.

“This movie is an absolute labor of love for me,” added Pascal. “I have known Madonna since we made A League of Their Own together, and I can’t imagine anything more thrilling than collaborating with her and Diablo on bringing her true-life story to the big screen with Donna and our partners at Universal.”

Madonna has previously starred in the likes of Desperately Seeking Susan, Dick Tracy, and Evita, but objectively has not yet found her footing as a director, having helmed Filth and Wisdom in 2008 and W.E in 2011, but she remains history’s most successful female artist both in terms of sales and touring.

“Madonna is the ultimate icon, humanitarian, artist and rebel,” remarked Universal’s Donna Langley. “With her singular gift of creating art that is as accessible as it is boundary-pushing, she has shaped our culture in a way very few others have. It’s an incredible honor for everyone at Universal to work alongside her, Diablo, and Amy to bring audiences and dedicated fans around the world her unvarnished story for the first time.”

With Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody’s near-billion dollar global box office still very much fresh in the memories of all the major studios, we expect developments on this Madonna film to be thick and fast now that the main team are in place.