Madonna's Biopic Cancelled Over Budget Dispute with Universal

Madonna told Interview that the long‑awaited biopic about her life was shelved after a budget clash with Universal Pictures. She said she spent two years writing the script and another two years at Universal Studios developing the budget and casting, but “we had a fight, Universal and I, over the budget because I needed a huge budget for my extraordinary life.”

Universal wanted to cut costs, even proposing to film in Serbia, which Madonna rejected, saying the studio “couldn't understand” the scale she envisioned. The star also cited creative‑control issues, noting that every decision would have to pass through her, adding further complexity.

After the film fell apart, Madonna pursued a Netflix series, but legal complications over the script’s rights and a prohibitive purchase price stalled the project. Actress Julia Garner had been attached to portray Madonna, but the series did not move forward. Elements of the cancelled biopic will instead appear fictionalized in the second season of Apple TV+’s comedy series The Studio.