Trending Now - Madonna Returns to Acting After Two Decades in New Biopic Project
WHO:
The Daily Beast - Seth Rogen's fictional film studio is named Continental Studios.
Variety - Julia Garner was cast to play Madonna in the original biopic after a "singing and dancing boot camp" audition process in 2022, beating out competition including Oscar nominee Florence Pugh.
The Daily Beast - Madonna, 67, will play a fictionalized version of herself.
The Daily Beast - Seth Rogen is the creator of "The Studio."
The Daily Beast - Julia Garner, 32, is an actress who was cast to play Madonna in the original biopic.
Variety - Donald Glover is speculated to take on a role in "The Studio."
The Daily Beast - Catherine O'Hara's character was let go from the show; she passed away from cancer.
WHAT:
The Daily Beast - The plot of Madonna's two-episode arc will focus on the controversial practice of standing ovations at film festivals, specifically the debate around journalists timing these ovations.
Variety - The upcoming season of "The Studio" will feature Madonna and Julia Garner at the Venice Film Festival to help generate Oscar buzz for the biopic.
The Daily Beast - Madonna's two-episode arc in "The Studio" will focus on the controversial practice of standing ovations at film festivals.
Variety - The characters in "The Studio," including Seth Rogen, Kathryn Hahn, Bryan Cranston, and others, will take the biopic to the Venice Film Festival to generate Oscar buzz.
The Daily Beast - Madonna is returning to acting after more than two decades.
The Daily Beast - The upcoming season of "The Studio" will feature Madonna in a two-episode arc.
The Daily Beast - Madonna's last acting role was in the 2003 film "Swept Away," which recouped only 10% of its budget.
Variety - "The Studio" will revive Madonna's canceled biopic.
The Daily Beast - The show has won 13 Emmys and two Golden Globes for its first season.
WHERE:
The Daily Beast - The Venice Film Festival is the location for the premiere of the biopic within "The Studio."
The Daily Beast - The filming of "The Studio" is taking place in Italy.
WHEN:
The Daily Beast - Season 2 of "The Studio" is currently filming as of April 2026, with no set release date announced yet.
The Daily Beast - Madonna's last acting project was in 2003.
The Daily Beast - The original biopic was shelved in 2021.
The Daily Beast - Season 2 of "The Studio" is currently filming as of April 2026.
WHY:
The Daily Beast - Madonna's biopic was shelved after her manager, Guy Oseary, convinced her to go on a world tour of her entire discography, which led to the revival of the project in "The Studio."
The Daily Beast - Madonna's biopic was shelved after her manager, Guy Oseary, convinced her to go on a world tour.
The Daily Beast - The show parodies the Hollywood film industry.
HOW:
The Daily Beast - The fictional revival of Madonna's biopic in "The Studio" is facilitated by Seth Rogen's character at Continental Studios.
Variety - Madonna's character in "The Studio" will not direct the biopic, contrasting with her original plans for the shelved project.
The Daily Beast - Madonna's role in "The Studio" will not include directing, unlike her original biopic.
The Daily Beast - Julia Garner won her role after a "singing and dancing boot camp" audition process in 2022.
(UPDATED April 8, 2026 15:23 UTC)
Seth Rogen's fictional film studio, Continental Studios, is currently filming the second season of "The Studio," which will feature Julia Garner portraying Madonna at the Venice Film Festival to generate Oscar buzz for the biopic. The plot will center around the controversial practice of standing ovations at film festivals, particularly the debate over journalists timing these moments. This revival of Madonna's biopic comes after her manager, Guy Oseary, convinced her to embark on a world tour, leading to the project's reimagining within the show.
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(UPDATED April 8, 2026 05:35 UTC)
Madonna is set to appear in a two-episode arc of "The Studio," which will explore the controversial practice of standing ovations at film festivals. The show features a star-studded cast, including Seth Rogen, Kathryn Hahn, and Bryan Cranston, as they prepare to take their biopic to the Venice Film Festival in hopes of generating Oscar buzz. Interestingly, while Madonna's character will not direct the biopic as initially planned, her involvement is still highly anticipated.
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(UPDATED April 8, 2026 03:56 UTC)
Madonna is making a return to acting after more than two decades, playing a fictionalized version of herself in a two-episode arc of the upcoming season of "The Studio," which is currently filming in Italy. The show, which parodies the Hollywood film industry, will also feature Donald Glover in a speculated role and has already won 13 Emmys and two Golden Globes for its first season. Originally, Madonna's biopic was shelved in 2021 after her manager convinced her to embark on a world tour, but it will now be revived within "The Studio," with Julia Garner having won her role through a rigorous audition process.