A Madonna Biopic Is On the Horizon Based On “Blond Ambition” Early Days
Hold on to your 80’s bangles girlfriends, it looks like a Madonna origin story is going to the big screen. Universal Pictures has picked up “Blond Ambition,” based on a script that appeared on 2016’s Black List, the annual survey that ranks well liked unproduced Hollywood screenplays. It’s the work of first-time feature writer Elyse Hollander, who sets the story in the early 1980s as Madonna works to get her career off the ground within the misogynistic music industry. The script is described as a portrait of the artist struggling to get her first album released while navigating fame, romance, and a music industry that views women as disposable. “Blond Ambition” topped the Black List last year, which is a sign of hope for a subject that’s tricky to pull off given Madonna’s larger-than-life fame. Each year a large committee of studio executives are invited to vote on the Black List, a selection of the year’s best unproduced film scripts. A plethora of Oscar-winning and nominated films such as Spotlight, Argo, The Imitation Game, and The King’s Speech gained traction by being included on the list. This year’s list was just released, and you can pull out your leg warmers girls because the list includes Blonde Ambition. The Madonna biopic has been crowned the most promising of this year’s 73 scripts.
There’s no word on casting yet but the script presents Madonna, who moved from Detroit to New York in 1978 to pursue dancing and singing, prioritizing her career over young love. During those early years, the broke singer lived in an abandoned synagogue and low-rent apartments while working odd jobs, playing in a punk band and performing with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The film also focuses on the early days of MTV and Madonna’s romantic relationship with John “Jellybean” Benitez, who produced her 1983 debut album. The script reportedly culminates with Madonna’s groundbreaking Like a Virgen performance at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards. There’s no word on when “Blond Ambition” will begin production or who might direct the movie, which takes its name from Madonna’s celebrated 1990 world tour.
Footnote: Madonna responded on Instagram to the news with this post:
Madonna
“Nobody knows what I know and what I have seen. Only I can tell my story. ?Anyone else who tries is a charlatan and a fool.?. Looking for instant gratification without doing the work. This is a disease in our society. ✍️?” Doesn’t sound like she will be participating in the project at any level. Lol!
Will “Blond Ambition” Get Made and Be Successful?
Susan Z’s Conclusion:
Yes, and Not so much.
Three of Wands: Inverted (Upside Down)
This card represents good results in business, growth and expansion. Because the card is inverted, I believe it shows the biopic is made with great expectations but having only an average success.
Knight of Pentacles: Inverted
This represents a younger man’s energy who is honest, solid in integrity but also stubborn. Since this card was drawn inverted, my belief is the card shows Madonna’s concern over her very racy period in her career and the effect it might have on her relationship with her son with Guy Ritchie who she is not on particularly close terms with right now.
Seven of Pentacles:
This card represents watching your hard work pay off and also you reap what you sow. I feel this card shows the biopic will be worth watching for those die-hard Madonna fans but not quite marketable enough for general overall appeal for any big financial success.
Susan Z Rich is an emotional addiction counselor, spiritual intuitive and holistic therapist. She counsels others to see life in a more positive way and teaches personal accountability for life choices. She is also the author of several children’s books and Soul Windows…Secrets From The Divine.