Julia Garner, known for her leading roles in Ozark and Inventing Anna, has been offered the role of Madonna in the upcoming biopic about the pop icon, Variety reported on Tuesday (June 7).
The Emmy-winning star earned the opportunity to play Madonna in the Universal Pictures film after a long process, which included choreography sessions with the singer’s choreographer, as well as choreography, singing and reading sessions with Madonna herself. Other actresses that auditioned for the coveted role include Florence Pugh, Odessa Young and Alexa Demie, among others.
Madonna will be directing the biopic herself and Amy Pascal is set to produce the movie, which was co-written by Secretary writer Erin Cressida Wilson. A production timeline and other principal cast is still unknown.
Garner has previously won two Emmys for her role as Ruth Langmore in the Netflix crime drama series Ozark, and most recently starred in the streamer’s Shonda Rhimes series Inventing Anna. On the film side thus far, Garner has appeared in projects and indie fare like The Assistant and Grandma.
Following the big news, Madonna and Garner fans alike flooded Twitter with excitement, tons of Ozark references and certainty that the casting decision was the right one — beyond the duo’s obvious physical likeness. See some of the best reactions we compiled below.
And so begins Julia Garner’s Best Actress campaign!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/8KDXrYo9Rn
— Zoë Rose Bryant (@ZoeRoseBryant) June 7, 2022
If Julia Garner is doing this in the movie the Oscar is hers! pic.twitter.com/Lcp86fwGI7
— ✨ (@heyjaeee) June 7, 2022
Ruth fucking langmore!
— james farro (@jamesfarro1) June 7, 2022
Now who will play Julia garner in the limited series about the Madonna boot camp https://t.co/nZ8Etj46Xl
— Rose Dommu (@rosedommu) June 7, 2022
julia garner at madonna bootcamp pic.twitter.com/BolGI7lEPg https://t.co/zUXcCfJqZV
— Gabe Itch (@notmaryshea) June 7, 2022
Julia Garner as Madonna is the smartest decision ever pic.twitter.com/sIdxXfzHnU
— clint barton pr manager ➷⍟ (@capskooky) June 7, 2022
Maybe it’s too soon to say (we DO have to see the movie still) but I’m struggling to think of examples of casting as perfect as Julia Garner as Madonna – & it goes far beyond the physical similarities. A performer as powerful as Garner will embody this role to the FULLEST extent. pic.twitter.com/uMlmyR2IN1
— Zoë Rose Bryant (@ZoeRoseBryant) June 7, 2022
me to anyone who asks me to stop talking about julia garner and madonna pic.twitter.com/B81957olLF
— Kenzie Vanunu 🦇 (@kenzvanunu) June 7, 2022
we’re witnessing julia garner come up in real time im smiling pic.twitter.com/n8pjRbuBAn
— ًreuben (@Iovingkind) June 7, 2022