A hard act to follow
(Picture: Getty Images)Who would you trust to play Madonna?
Taking on the role of the Queen of Pop herself is no small feat, but by all accounts, competition has been fierce to secure the lead role in what could be the movie of the year.
With the biopic – as yet unnamed – due to be directed and co-written by Madge herself, hype is already huge, and though the auditioning process has remained super-secretive, a few select actresses have been picked to compete in a “gruelling” bootcamp to prove their suitability for the role.
We analyse the top contenders for the most coveted role in Hollywood.
Julia Garner
Known for: Most recently, Garner played scheming socialite Anna Delvey in Inventing Anna. For this role, she needed to be scheming, sweet and manipulative all in one – and it was a balancing act she nailed.
Pros: The hair! That magnificent set of curls instantly elevates Garner to Madge lookalike. Plus, she has the range: alongside being Anna Delvey, she played Ruth Langmore in gritty Netflix show Ozark. Her star is on the rise, so this would be the perfect role to boost her into the stratosphere.
Cons: The role reportedly requires an all-rounder, which includes singing and dancing along with acting. Can Garner sing and dance? Filmed evidence is scarce, which means she might be in trouble...
Florence Pugh
Known for: Take your pick. Pugh is one of the most in-demand actresses working in Hollywood right now, with several blockbusters (including Black Widow, in which she plays Natasha’s younger sister Yelena Belova) and a number of aclaimed indie films, such as The Falling, Lady Macbeth and Fighting With My Family, under her belt.
Pros: Pugh proved she could nail impersonations when she played real-life professional wrestler Paige in Fighting With My Family. Plus, the girl’s a chameleon, rocking a pixie cut as effortlessly as the long blonde hair required to play Madonna. She’ll play the character so well, you’ll forget it’s not the real deal.
Cons: Though she loves showing off her goofy dancing on TikTok and Instagram, can Pugh pull off a hyper-choreographed Madonna routine? The jury is out.
Alexa Demie
Known for: Demie shot to fame as part of the cast of teen drama Euphoria, playing combative Maddy Perez.
Pros: If you’re looking for someone who can bring glamour, Demie is it. Plus, she has the musical chops for the role, having released two songs on Spotify ahead of a rumoured EP drop – and knows how to serve high drama thanks to starring in smash hit show Euphoria.
Cons: While she can nail the look, Demie doesn’t have as many TV or film appearances under her belt as other heavy hitters like Garner and Pugh - though perhaps that might even be an advantage when playing a bona fide icon?
Emma Laird
Known for: Named as one of Variety’s ‘10 Brits to Watch’ in 2021, Laird’s star is on the rise, and she has since starred in American show Mayor of Kingstown, alongside Jeremy Renner.
Pros: In Mayor of Kingstown, Laird played dancer Iris, proving that she can serve a choreographed routine and pull off a role at the same time. Plus, she’s no stranger to the spotlight, with a very successful career in modelling under her belt.
Cons: Alongside Pugh, relative unknown Laird is the one of the few rumoured casting choices to hail from the UK. Will she struggle to inhabit Michigan-born Madonna’s punk attitude?
Bebe Rexha
Known for: Did somebody say pop star? If you want to find Rexha, she’s all over Instagram, the radio, or indeed coming to a music venue near you. In short: she’s an internationally famous music artist.
Pros: If Madonna is looking for somebody who can own a stage and deliver a song with flair, then Rexha is it. Hailing from Brooklyn, she has forged a career for herself, with bangers like Meant To Be and I Got You under her belt. Belting out a Madonna hit will be a piece of cake for her.
Cons: Rexha can sing, of course, but can she act? Though she has appeared in TV shows including Ru Paul’s Drag Race and The Voice, we have yet to see evidence of her acting chops.
Sky Ferreira
Known for: Primarily being a musician. Indie darling Ferreira is a pop artist, who dabbles in acting alongside her music career.
Pros: If you’re looking for the entire package, then Ferreira might be it: she’s a successful singer-songwriter, model and actor to boot. In addition to producing and releasing pop hits, she has appeared in hit films such as Baby Driver and American Woman.
Cons: As a relative unknown, we’re struggling to find cons for Ferreira. Though her film roles have been small so far, if she can pull off the music, maybe the rest will follow...
