TheMadonna biopicis one of the most talked about upcoming movies — and for good reason. A singer, dancer, director, and actress, Madonna is an icon in music, movies, and pop culture history. Considering the fact that musical biopics have been a steady stream of critical and commercial successes for major studios — frombiopics about Black music iconsto ones likeElvis,Rocketman,andBohemian Rhapsody— it’s no wonder that Madonna’s life and career is being adapted for the big screen.
Ever since it was first announced thatMadonna herself would be directingthe movie and co-writing the script with Diablo Cody, the best of today’s young actresses clamored to audition for the role. What’s more, reports of the grueling"Madonna Boot Camp"these hopefuls have had to go through have kept the film in the public eye. Hollywood was set ablaze with speculation and curiosity regarding who would nab the coveted role.
In June 2022, it was reported thatOzarkstandoutJulia Garner was offered the rolein the biopic, putting to rest any questions of who would slip into Madonna’s trailblazing shoes. Not only does the gifted actress have an uncanny resemblance to the pop icon, but she has proven time and time again that she can truly embody any character she is given. Garner nabbed three Primetime Emmy Awards for her role as the ambitious and rebellious Ruth Langmore before thrilling audiences with her superb performance as con woman Anna Sorokinin Shonda Rhimes’Inventing Anna.The hit Netflix series shows that the star has no problem portraying real-life people, and she will nail the role of the Material Girl.
Updated October 24th, 2022: To keep this article fresh and current, it has been updated to reflect Julia Garner’s casting in the highly-anticipated biopic.
While playing Madonna would have been just another success to add to their impressive resumes, all of these women have had fantastic careers thus far. With a mix of singers and actresses having auditioned for the epic role, a lot of dazzling talent was on full display throughout the grueling process.Though Julia Garner was ultimately awarded the part, it’s interesting to speculate what could have been. As such, here’s every known actress who auditioned to play Madonna in her biopic and the roles they’ve previously played.
Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexhacites Madonna as one of the major influences in her music career, so it makes sense that she would have auditioned for the role. As the least experienced actress on this list, we believe she still shows a lot of promise in her role as Tempe Tina in the recent comedy film,Queenpins.
Related:These Are Julia Garner’s Best Performances, Ranked
As a computer hacker assisting the protagonists in their scheme, Rexha is eccentric and fun inQueenpins— perfect for the pop icon who has often been described the same way. We would love to see this energy on-screen again, and such a defining role would have been excellent for Rexha, especially as a Madonna fan.
Sky Ferreira
Aside from having a successful music career,Sky Ferreiraalso auditioned for Madonna. Despite her limited dialogue in this part, we think Ferreira’s role inThe Green Infernowas proof enough of her suitability to play Madonna in the upcoming biopic. As world-weary best friend Kaycee, she delivers cutting lines and is a scene-stealer throughout.
This spunky energy is something that could have easily transferred into the role of Madonna, and as a less experienced actor compared to some others on this list, it would have been refreshing to see her take on a well-known leading role. While she was excellent inTwin Peaks: The Return, Lords of Chaos, andAmerican Woman, she still doesn’t have as much of an established image as other actresses here, which would’ve allowed her to sink deeper into the part for many viewers.
Emma Laird
ThisMayor of Kingstownstar had also gone through the audition process for the role, and with her stunning performance as Iris, we think she’d have been a good fit.Emma Laird’s dramatic performance was a standout of the entire series, as Iris deals with some heavy trauma and manages to come out on the other side as the same strong woman she always was. As the Madonna biopic is expected to cover some dramatic parts of the singers' life, Laird would have transitioned seamlessly from Iris to the cultural icon that is Madonna, and she was a strong contender for the part.
Odessa Young
Australian sensationOdessa Youngis a bright, up-and-coming actress best known for her role in acclaimed dramas likeLooking for GraceandThe Daughter,the latter for which she earned an AACTA Award. Young made her transition to American cinema with the satirical black comedyAssassination Nationand the Paramount+ post-apocalyptic seriesThe Stand,delivering a compelling performance as Frannie Goldsmith opposite stars like James Marsden and Alexander Skarsgård.
Laird physically resembles Madonna in her younger years and clearly has the acting chops to have led the biopic, and the fact that she has musical experience in off-Broadway shows would have been just an added bonus.
Florence Pugh
Florence Pughwas another Madonna hopeful, and it is her performance as Amy March in Greta Gerwig’sLittle Womenthat proves she would have been perfect for it. While Amy may seem worlds away from Madonna at first glance, the two have surprising similarities. As Amy,Florence Pugh portrayedboth the childlike fun side of the character and the dignified woman who does what needs to be done.
Related:Madonna Shares First Biopic Details Alongside Collaborator Diablo Cody
As a woman in the industry, Madonna has had to play both of these sides to be as successful as she has been, which is why Pugh would have nailed her portrayal of Madonna: the balance between her shamelessly fun music career and the businesswoman behind the music is likely to be a vital part of the biopic, and Pugh would have managed it with ease. Missing out on Madonna won’t hurt her career in the slightest, as she headlines two anticipated films in 2022:Don’t Worry DarlingandThe Wonder.
Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeneyis just one of theEuphoriastars who was up for the role. But outside of her fantastic performance as Cassie Howard (and her complicated, snarky, and sad performance inThe White Lotus), it isSydney Sweeney’s rolein short-lived Netflix hidden gem comedy seriesEverything Sucks!that makes us believe she would have suited the role of Madonna. Aside from the fantastic aesthetic of the 1990s set sitcom, Sweeney had a lot to offer in this role, which could have been brought to Madonna.
As Emaline, there was just enough sensitivity to balance out the hard edge of her character, something that could be interesting to see brought to the role of Madonna. For example, Emaline cares a lot about falling in love, but is reluctant to say so, which makes for a tender storyline. Sweeney has a knack for playing characters with harsh exteriors to hide their sensitive insides, especially in Emaline, and that could have brought a whole new dimension to the pop sensation.
Alexa Demie
Alexa Demieis the otherEuphoriastar who was up for the part, and her sheer confidence as Maddy Perez makes it easy to see why. As Maddy, Demie took control of the screen in both seasons of the hit HBO drama, and has become a fan favorite due to her standing up to the likes of Nate Jacobs. Madonna is a big role, which requires a lot of confidence to perfect, and Demie has this down perfectly.
Maddy Perez is a strong, intelligent woman who knows what she wants and will do anything to get it, and it is this power which would have fit Madonna perfectly. We’d love to see her bring this energy to the silver screen, and even if it won’t be to bring the Material Girl closer to the fans, it will hopefully be in other future projects.
