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Madonna to direct and co-write her own film biopic: ‘Who better to tell it than me?’

Pop icon will co-write the script with Oscar winning ‘Juno’ screenwriter Diablo Cody

Adam White
Wednesday 16 September 2020 03:09 EDT
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Madonna will direct and co-write her own film biopic after weeks of teasing the project on her Instagram.

The pop icon is writing the film’s script with Oscar winner Diablo Cody, best known for her screenplays for Juno and Jennifer’s Body.

“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, 62, said in a statement. “The focus of this film will always be music. Music has kept me going and art has kept me alive.”

She continued: “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.”

No release date or casting choices have been announced.

The film, from Universal Pictures, will be produced by former Sony Pictures chief Amy Pascal, who first worked with Madonna on the 1992 sports comedy A League Of Their Own.

Pascal described the upcoming biopic as “an absolute labour of love for me”.

Musical biopics have become hot properties in Hollywood in recent years, with successes including the Queen-inspired Bohemian Rhapsody and Sir Elton John’s Rocketman. However, it is unusual for the subject of the film to also sit in the director’s chair.

Madonna has previously directed two films – 2008 comedy drama Filth and Wisdom and the 2011 historical romance WE. Her acting credits include Desperately Seeking Susan, Evita and Dick Tracy.

Ozark star Julia Garner has been rumoured to be playing Madonna in the film.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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