A biopic about Madonna has found a uniquely qualified director – Madonna herself.
Universal Pictures has announced that the studio is developing an untitled film about the pop star that Madonna will direct and co-write alongside Juno writer Diablo Cody.
Quote It's essential to share the roller coaster ride of my life with my voice and vision
Madonna
Madonna said she wants the film 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.”
“The focus of this film will always be music," Madonna said in a statement. "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.”
The film will be produced by Amy Pascal, the former Sony Pictures chief who produced 1992's A League of their Own , which Madonna starred in.
"This movie is an absolute labour of love for me," said Pascal. "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 Langley and our partners at Universal."
Madonna, 62, previously directed the 2008 British drama Filth and Wisdom and the 2011 period drama W.E ., with Abbie Corning and Andrea Riseborough.
Madonna, whose last album was 2019's Madame X , has sold 335 million records worldwide in her career.
She joins the likes of Freddie Mercury and Elton John in becoming the subject of Hollywood blockbusters in recent years.
Take a look at Madonna's style evolution through the years:
Madonna, in patterned trousers and a duck-egg coat, performs at the Live Aid concert on July 13, 1985 in Philadelphia, US. Getty Images
Madonna, in a leather jacket, films her 'Papa Don't Preach' music video in New York in 1986. Getty Images
Madonna, in a checked, patterned dress, and Sean Penn in New York in August 1986. Getty Images
Madonna, in a vinyl raincoat, and Warren Beatty in New York in June 1990. Getty Images
Madonna, in a navy knit coat, at the Gotham Awards on September 9, 1995 in New York. Getty Images
Madonna, in sleek suiting, at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City on September 5, 1997. Getty Images
Madonna, in a velvet and vinyl coat, arrives at the Miramax pre-Oscar party in California, US, on March 22, 1998. Getty Images
Madonna, in a black silk and tulle gown, and her brother arrive at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 23, 1998 in West Hollywood, California. Getty Images
Madonna, in a red kimono, at the American Music Awards on January 11, 1999. Getty Images
Madonna, in a gold embroidered tunic and trousers, arrives at the Vanity Fair Party in West Hollywood, California, on March 21, 1999. Getty Images
Madonna, wearing a lacy purple dress, in New York City in May 1999. Getty Images
Madonna, in a leather wrap dress, at the GQ awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on October 21, 1999. Getty Images
Madonna, in a T-shirt promoting the film 'Snatch', and Guy Ritchie at the launch of her 'Music' album in Los Angeles, California, on September 19, 2000. Getty Images
Madonna, in a cream suit, and Guy Ritchie at the premiere of 'Snatch' in Los Angeles, California, on January 18, 2001. Getty Images
Madonna, in a cream coat, and Guy Ritchie arrive for the premiere of 'Mean Machine' on December 18, 2001 in London. Getty Images
Madonna, in a white double-breasted jacket, and Guy Ritchie arrive at the opening of the Mario Testino photography exhibition on January 29, 2002 at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Getty Images
Madonna, in a black evening coat, and her Guy Ritchie arrive for the world of 'Die Another Day' at the Royal Albert Hall on November 18, 2002 in London. Getty Images
Madonna, in a silky trench coat, arrives at the launch party for a Stella McCartney store on May 15, 2003 in London. Getty Images
Madonna, in a khaki coat, arrives at the French NRJ Music Awards ceremony on January 24, 2004 in Cannes, France. Getty Images
Madonna, in Sonia Rykiel, performs during the NRJ Music Awards ceremony on January 24, 2004 in Cannes, France. Getty Images
Madonna, in a skirt suit, arrives at the final of 'UK Music Hall Of Fame' at the Hackney Empire on November 11, 2004 in London. Getty Images
Madonna, in a LBD, and Guy Ritchie arrive at the premiere of 'Sin City' at the Empire Leicester Square on May 23, 2005 in London, England. Getty Images
Madonna, in a white suit, performs on stage at 'Live 8' in Hyde Park on July 2, 2005 in London, England. Getty Images
Guy Richie and Madonna, in a black coat and over-knee boots, arrive at the premiere for 'Revolver' at the Odeon Leicester Square on September 20, 2005 in London, England. Getty Images
Madonna, in velvet trousers and a blazer, and daughter Lourdes arrive at the premiere of 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' at the Odeon Leicester Square on November 6, 2005 in London, England. Getty Images
Madonna, in an embellished midi, and Guy Ritchie arrive at the premiere of documentary 'I'm Going to Tell You a Secret' on November 29, 2005 in London, England. Getty Images
Madonna, in a leotard and sequins, at a press conference on December 7, 2005 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images
Madonna, in a black midi dress, at the 58th Berlinale Film Festival at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on February 13, 2008 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images
Madonna, in Chanel, and Guy Ritchie arrive at the 61st International Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2008 in Cannes, France. Getty Images
Madonna, in Stella McCartney, arrives at amfAR's Cinema Against Aids benefit on May 22, 2008 in Mougins, France. Getty Images
Madonna, in a tracksuit, leaves a hotel on August 1, 2010 in Paris, France. Getty Images
Madonna, in Stella McCartney, arrives at the Met Gala on May 2, 2011. EPA
Madonna, in Vionnet, at the 68th Venice Film Festival on September 1, 2011 in Venice, Italy. Getty Images
Madonna, in L'Wren Scott, at the 68th Venice Film Festival on September 1, 2011 in Venice, Italy. Getty Images
Madonna, in Jean Paul Gaultier, attends the 'W.E.' premiere at the Odeon Kensington on January 11, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images
Madonna, in DSquared2, on January 11, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images
Madonna, in Reem Acra, at the 69th Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, on January 15, 2012. EPA
Madonna, in a waistcoat and trousers, at a press conference before the Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 2, 2012. EPA
Madonna, in Givenchy, at the Met Gala in New York on May 6, 2013. EPA
Madonna, in a black knit, speaks on stage at the Chime For Change concert at Twickenham Stadium on June 1, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images
Madonna, in leggings and a leather jacket, at the opening of gym club Hard Candy Fitness in Berlin, Germany, on October 17, 2013. EPA
Madonna, in Ralph Lauren, arrives for the 56th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on January 26, 2014. EPA
Madonna, in Givenchy, arrives for the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on February 8, 2015. EPA
Katy Perry and Madonna, in Moschino, arrive at the Met Gala in New York on May 4, 2015. EPA
Madonna, in a classic LBD, poses during a promotional event in Tokyo, Japan, on February 15, 2016. EPA
Madonna, ion Moschino, and Jeremy Scott arrive at the Met Gala in New York on May 1, 2017. EPA
Madonna, in Jean Paul Gaultier, and Jean Paul Gaultier arrive at the Met Gala in New York on May 7, 2018. EPA
Madonna, in traditional Berber dress, at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York, on August 20, 2018. EPA
Madonna, in a black cape and eye patch, performs at the 64th annual Eurovision Song Contest on May 18, 2019. Getty Images
Madonna wears a black bodysuit with tights and a hat at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2021. Getty Images
Madonna, in black Burberry, attends a celebration of the Lola bag, hosted by Burberry in Los Angeles on April 20, 2022. Getty Images
Madonna, in a black corset with sports trousers, appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on August 10, 2022. Getty Images
Madonna, in Mugler Haute Couture, attends the Grammy Awards on February 5, 2023. Getty Images
Updated: September 16, 2020, 4:17 AM