Madonna can “Take a Bow,” because she’s re-writing the rules of filmmaking. She’s set to direct her third feature, and the subject matter couldn’t be any more personal: the iconic superstar is helming her own biopic for Universal. The untitled pic will see Madonna revisiting memorable chapters of her life and career. She’s penning the script alongside Oscar-winning “Juno” scribe Diablo Cody.
“That Madonna, whose staggering five-decade career has seen countless musical reinventions and a run at filmmaking and acting, would direct her own journey from New York City’s slums to the heights of global stardom is beyond rare,” Variety notes. “The super-famous are often involved peripherally as creative consultants and executive producers in their own adapted stories (like recent awards players like ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Rocketman’).”
“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,” Madonna said 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’s Filmed Entertainment Group chair Donna Langley described Madonna the “ultimate icon, humanitarian, artist, and rebel” and emphasized her “singular gift of creating art that is as accessible as it is boundary-pushing.”
Madonna is producing alongside Amy Pascal. The latter described the project as an “absolute labor of love.” Pascal continued, “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 sold over 335 million records worldwide. “Vogue,” “Like a Virgin,” and “Material Girl” are among her biggest hits.
Besides “A League of Their Own,” Madonna’s acting credits include “Desperately Seeking Susan” and “Evita.” She previously directed 2008’s “Filth and Wisdom” and 2011’s “W.E.”
