Julia Garner is still holding on to her dream role — portraying pop icon Madonna in the long-awaited biopic Who’s That Girl, a project that has faced multiple delays since it was first announced in 2020.
“It’s Supposed to Still Happen”
Appearing on the SmartLess podcast, the Ozark star confirmed that despite the ongoing uncertainty, the biopic is still alive — at least in theory.
“It’s supposed to still happen,” Garner shared, giving fans a glimmer of hope after over two years of development limbo.
Cast, Paused, But Not Forgotten
Garner, 31, was officially cast in 2022 after a competitive audition process that reportedly involved grueling dance and performance bootcamps — with Madonna herself overseeing the final selection.
Even though the project was later shelved in early 2023 — mainly due to Madonna shifting focus to her Celebration Tour — Garner has remained confident the project will resume.
“I knew they were making a movie, and I just thought, ‘I want to see if I can do this.’”
With no formal dance training, she had to quickly adapt — and she channeled Madonna’s signature confidence to own her audition.
“I just told myself, ‘What would Madonna do?’ She’d convince them she belongs in the room. So I did.”
Madonna: Still Calling the Shots
Madonna, 66, is still set to write and direct the biopic herself. In 2023, she was seen working on the script with screenwriters Diablo Cody (Juno) and Erin Cressida Wilson (The Girl on the Train). She’s made it clear she wants full creative control over her story.
“I’ve had an extraordinary life. I must make an extraordinary film,” she told Variety.
“No one’s going to tell my story but me.”
Insiders say she resumed script work after wrapping her tour in June 2024 and has stayed in touch with Garner throughout the delay.
What’s Next?
The biopic — titled Who’s That Girl — is expected to chronicle Madonna’s rise to fame, capturing her rebellious spirit, music, and fight for control in a male-dominated industry. While a production date has yet to be confirmed, the passion behind the scenes remains strong.
A source told The Sun: “They are committed to creating some magic.”
If the project finally takes off, Who’s That Girl could be the definitive portrait of one of pop culture’s most influential and controversial figures — with Julia Garner leading the way. For now, fans will have to wait and watch… but the Queen of Pop and her chosen star aren’t done yet.
