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Elyse Hollander’s Madonna Biopic Picked Up by Universal

Madonna in the music video for “Vogue”

Get ready to vogue at your local movie theater: a Madonna biopic is coming to the big screen. Universal has picked up “Blond Ambition,” Elyse Hollander’s 2016 Black List-topping script about the Queen of Pop. The Hollywood Reporter broke the news.

Set in early ’80s, “Blond Ambition” follows Madonna as she works on her first album in New York. She struggles “in a business that treats women badly, while also dealing with a burgeoning love life and the first hints of fame,” THR summarizes. Her first album, “Madonna,” was released in 1983. Blond Ambition is the name of Madonna’s iconic 1990 world tour in support of her fourth album, “Like a Prayer.”

“Blond Ambition” marks Hollander’s debut script. She’s worked as an assistant to “Fresh Off the Boat” co-executive producer Kourtney Kang and “Birdman” director Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

Neither a director nor a star is attached yet.

Madonna was honored as Woman of the Year at last year’s Billboard Women in Music event. In her acceptance speech, she said, “I stand before you as a doormat. Oh, I mean, as a female entertainer. Thank you for acknowledging my ability to continue my career for 34 years in the face of blatant sexism and misogyny and constant bullying and relentless abuse.”

Take note, Universal. This is who you’re telling a story about — a woman who is famously outspoken about the entertainment industry’s mistreatment of women. Let’s hope the studio isn’t just considering men to helm “Blond Ambition.”


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