“Madonna Teamed Up With Hit Director Shawn Levy for Netflix Series After Universal Biopic Scrapped!” — reveals that the Netflix project replaces a cancelled film.

In 2020, Madonna announced she’d be directing and co-writing a feature biopic of her own life, under Universal Pictures. Screenwriters attached over time included Diablo Cody (of Juno) and Erin Cressida Wilson (of The Girl on the Train) for different versions of the script.

• Actress Julia Garner (known for Ozark, Inventing Anna) was cast to play a young Madonna after a process involving singing/dancing bootcamps. Other performers considered included Florence Pugh, Alexa Demie, Odessa Young, and Bebe Rexha.
• The film was put on hold, officially dropped by Universal in early 2023. One major reason: Madonna’s Celebration Tour, which occupied much of her creative and logistical energy.
• Also relevant: Madonna publicly expressed frustration that producers were trying to “downsize” or scale back her vision, telling her she should “think smaller.” She resisted that.

The New Project: Netflix Limited Series with Shawn Levy

What is known

• As of May 2025, reports confirm that Madonna is developing a limited series (i.e. a miniseries) about her life for Netflix. The director/producer attached is Shawn Levy (known for Stranger Things, Deadpool & Wolverine, The Adam Project, etc.). His production company 21 Laps Entertainment is part of the arrangement.
• Madonna is also involved—though the exact degree (writer? showrunner? how much creative control?) hasn’t been fully disclosed.

How it differs from the cancelled biopic

• This Netflix limited series is not the same project as the one that was being developed by Universal. It’s essentially starting from scratch.  Julia Garner is still reportedly attached as a possible choice to play Madonna in this new format—still “in the mix” pending availability etc.  Because it’s a series, there’s potential for much more breadth: more time to explore Madonna’s life in depth, rather than compressing it into a single film. It may allow for more nuance, more phases of her life.

What’s Still Unknown

• Scope / time‐period: It’s not yet clear exactly which years or parts of Madonna’s life the series will cover. Will it start from childhood? The New York early days? Rise to fame? Her artistic reinventions?
• Episode count, structure, format: How many episodes, what the tone will be, whether it’s more linear or jumps around in time—details aren’t yet public.
• Casting confirmations: While Julia Garner is a strong candidate, nothing is locked in public. Other casting, supporting roles, etc., are yet to be revealed.
• Release timeline: No word yet on when the series might go into production, or when it might be released. Given how early the project is, it may be some time.

Why the Pivot from Film → Series Makes Sense

Analyzing the transition, several reasons make this shift logical and potentially advantageous:

1. Creative freedom & scale
   Madonna has indicated that the film project was being constrained—either by producers wanting to scale down, or by limitations inherent in feature film storytelling. A series allows more chapters, more depth.
2. Control & voice
   Madonna has repeatedly expressed the desire to tell her story on her own terms. A television series (especially with her as executive producer) might provide more control over how her story is framed than a big studio film.
3. Modern viewing habits / streaming preference
   Audiences are very receptive to life‐story/biographical series. Netflix has seen success with similar projects. Also, streaming gives more flexibility in tone, pacing, and audience reach.
4. Longer timeline & adaptability
   Because her life is long and complex, compressing into a 2‐hour film always risked oversimplifying. A limited series can adapt: perhaps devote episodes to different eras or themes (e.g. early struggles, fame, controversies, reinventions).
5. Business & timing
   The Universal biopic was stalled in part because Madonna’s Celebration Tour took priority. Moving to a Netflix series allows for more scheduling flexibility, possibly less pressure to deliver a studio film in a narrow window.

Implications and Expectations

• Fans will likely expect a version of Madonna’s life that is unvarnished, truthful, not overly sanitized. Given her history, controversies, personal life, artistic conflicts, etc.—there’s a lot of material.
• Expectations will also include strong musical components: recreations, performance scenes, perhaps archival footage, rights to her music. Negotiating music rights is often tricky, so this will be an area to watch.
• The casting will be under scrutiny—not just who plays Madonna, but those around her: family, collaborators, fellow artists, early influences.
• Because Shawn Levy is involved, many will expect high production values, perhaps cinematic approach even in episodic form.

Possible Risks / Challenges

• Creative disagreements: Madonna has already spoken out about pushback from producers who wanted her to scale back. Even with a series, negotiations over creative control, depiction, tone will remain sensitive.
• Audience expectations: With a high‐profile figure like Madonna, fans often have strong and varied expectations. Satisfying different stakeholders (fans, critics, Madonna herself) is a big balancing act.
• Rights & legalities: Music catalogs, image rights, depiction of real people—these always complicate biographic projects.
• Development delays: Given how long the film version was in flux, there’s always possibility that this project too could face delays, changes, etc.

What to Watch For Going Forward

• Official announcements from Netflix or Madonna confirming episode count, writers, more cast.
• Whether Julia Garner is confirmed or replaced.
• Trailers or teasers that give clues about which eras of Madonna’s life are going to be showcased.
• How much Madame Tussauds (or similar representation) archives/music rights are used—this will affect authenticity.
• Reception from fans and critics when more details emerge—will they feel this series can succeed where the film couldn’t?

Conclusion

Madonna’s decision to move from a cancelled or stalled Universal biopic to developing a limited series with Shawn Levy for Netflix represents a significant strategic shift. It suggests a desire for creative freedom, a broader canvas to tell her story, and adapting to the streaming era where series offer more flexibility and depth. While many details are still under wraps, the collaboration with Levy and Netflix is promising, and it seems the project is being built with greater control and ambition.

If done well, this could offer a richer, more nuanced portrayal of Madonna—not just the icon, but the artist, the person, with all the complexities. Fans should stay tuned; this could be a defining moment in how celebrity life stories are told.