Madonna offers update on her upcoming, self-directed biopic: "I've had an extraordinary life, I must make an extraordinary film"

Madonna has offered an update on her forthcoming, self-directed biopic. 

The as-yet-untitled film has had one draft written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody (Juno), but it's since been announced that the most recent itineration was co-authored by Madonna and Erin Cressida Wilson. 

With no concrete news about when we can expect the film's release, Madonna has since revealed that work on the film's script is still on-going, since it has "a very long script that I'm trying to make shorter."

Madonna told Variety that: "I've been whittling away [at the script] but [removing certain passages and scenes] is like hacking off my limbs."

MORE: Madonna's Official Charts history in full

On why she decided to helm her own biopic, she said: "I've had an extraordinary life, I must make an extraordinary film, [Directing it] was also a preemptive strike, because a lot of people were trying to make movies about me.

"Mostly misogynistic men. So I put my foot in the door and said, 'No one’s going to tell my story, but me.'"

Auditions for the role of Madonna were held earlier this year, apparently with stars such as Sophie Turner and Florence Pugh in the running, alongside established musical acts such as Sky Ferreira and Bebe Rexha. 

Inventing Anna star Julia Garner is rumoured to have won the part, but this has not been confirmed officially. 

Madonna has described the film as a "visual autobiography," perhaps in a move to distance the film from several other successful biopics in recent years, including Elton John's Rocketman and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. 

In the long-ranging chat, Madonna also makes it clear that she's ready to hit the road and tour again after her ambitious plans to re-release her entire musical back catalogue with original label, Warner.

"The whole thing with Frozen [which went viral on TikTok earlier this year] was so fun, but I woke up one day and went 'I'm sick of living in the past!' I want to go on tour again."

As for Madonna herself, she still holds the record for the most number one singles for any female solo act on the Official Singles Chart. Only Cliff Richard and Westlife (14), The Beatles (17) and Elvis (21) have more.  She's also still the female solo act with the most UK Number 1 albums in UK chart history, with 12 in total.

Article Image: Warner Bros.