Brit Florence Pugh could be 'perfect' star Madonna wants to play her in biopic
Queen of pop Madonna is Desperately Seeking the “perfect” actress to play her on screen… and English actress Florence Pugh could be the one.
The Little Women actress, 25, is said to be neck and neck with Ozark’s Julia Garner, 26, in the race to win the role.
Madonna, 62, is co-writing the much-anticipated biopic and will also direct it. And as for the leading role, fans can’t wait for her to decide Who’s That Girl.
An insider told the Sunday Mirror: “Realistically, there are only a couple of people in town who could pull this role off.
“The bosses who are helping put the movie together want Florence and nobody doubts that she could be amazing.
“On the other hand, fans and the press have already weighed in and, from that perspective, Julia is their frontrunner because she is such a dead ringer for early-career Madonna.
“Still, there are serious politics and scheduling issues in the way of Julia landing the part.
“The final decision will be Madonna’s alone, since she’s directing and it’s her story.
“She’s really only got one shot to get this right. Like with Elton John’s Rocketman, there isn’t room for error. She’s putting herself under serious pressure to find the perfect person.”
Madonna is penning the script with Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody.
Julia was touted for the lead role after her Emmy-winning success in Netflix crime drama Ozark. She also starred in movie The Assistant.
But Madonna also connected with Oscar nominee Florence after fans pointed out the resemblance between her and the pop queen when she was young.
Speaking about the biopic, Madonna has said: “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. The focus of this film will always be music.
“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 rollercoaster ride of my life with my voice and vision.”
Madonna has directed two films – the 2008 drama Filth and Wisdom and period biopic W.E. in 2011. She has also acted in Desperately Seeking Susan, Dick Tracy and Evita.
Other musical biopics are on the way. A new film about Whitney Houston – titled I Wanna Dance With Somebody – is in the pipeline while Stardust, starring Johnny Flynn, will focus on the early years of David Bowie’s career.