The race to play pop icon Madonna in her upcoming planned biopic is on. It was announced on Tuesday that Euphoria stars Sydney Sweeney and Barbie Ferreira have now emerged as potential candidates for the plum role.
The young actresses are believed to have auditioned for the part alongside Julia Garner, 28 – best known for her starring role in Netflix drama Ozark, and a popular choice among die-hard Madonna fans.
Both Sweeney, 24, and Ferreira, 25, have become household names in the United States thanks to their respective roles as Cassie Howard and Kat Hernandez in popular HBO series Euphoria, which returned with a second season in February.
Their emergence in the ongoing casting war comes after it was reported that Florence Pugh was personally singled out by the pioneering singer as a likely candidate to play her in the new film about her life and career.
However, the decision to broaden the search by auditioning Sweeney, Ferreira, and Garner suggests that the casting of Pugh has hit a potential stumbling block.
Who are the actresses battling it out to play Madonna in the new biopic? From their past roles to their love lives and everything in between, FEMAIL has rounded up all you need to know about the ladies in the running to portray the iconic singer.
Material Girls: The race to play pop icon Madonna in her upcoming planned biopic is on. It was announced on Tuesday that Euphoria stars Sydney Sweeney (left) and Barbie Ferreira (right) have now emerged as potential candidates for the plum role
The actresses are believed to have auditioned for the part alongside Julia Garner (left), 28 – best known for her starring role in Netflix drama Ozark, and a popular choice among die-hard Madonna (right) fans
Their emergence in the ongoing casting war comes after Florence Pugh (left) was personally singled out by Madonna (right) as a likely candidate to play her in the new film about her life and career
Madonna is co-writing the film about her life with Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody, while film executive Amy Pascal will serve as the producer
Pugh, 25, was thought to be a favorite among movie executives, however Material Girl singer Madonna will have the final say on casting, reports The Mirror.
A source said: ‘The bosses who are helping put the movie together want Florence [Pugh] and nobody doubts that she could be amazing.
‘On the other hand, fans and the press have already weighed in… Julia is their frontrunner because she is such a dead ringer for early-career Madonna.
‘The final decision will be Madonna’s alone… she’s putting herself under serious pressure to find the perfect person.’
Fans previously suspected that Garner was going to be announced as the young Madonna after the musician followed her on Instagram in August.
Madonna’s longtime manager Guy Oseary also followed the rising star on the same day, prompting further speculation.
Kanye West’s former love interest, Julia Fox, 31, could also be featured in the new film as actress Debi Mazar, EW revealed in January.
Madonna recently confirmed that she and Fox chatted about the Uncut Gems star potentially joining the cast during a dinner together in Los Angeles.
Mazar, who is known for films like Goodfellas, has been a close friend and confidant of Madonna’s since the 1980s.
Kanye West’s former love interest, Julia Fox (left), 31, could also be featured in the new film as actress Debi Mazar (right). Mazar, who is known for films like Goodfellas, has been a close friend and confidant of Madonna’s since the 1980s
Working together: The Queen of Pop revealed via Instagram that she and Fox chatted about her potentially joining the cast during a recent dinner together in Los Angeles
Speaking about the project last year, Madonna said: ‘I want to convey the incredible journey that life has taken me on as an artist, a musician, a dancer – a human being.’ She is pictured during a writing session for the flick with Diablo Cody
Lucky star: Whoever wins the role will play Madonna during her early years as one of pop’s brightest talents (pictured in 1983)
What will it be? Although nothing has been confirmed – Live To Tell, the name of a hit ballad Madonna had early in her career in 1986, has been tipped as a potential name for the movie
Madonna is co-writing the film about her life with Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody, while film executive Amy Pascal will serve as the producer.
Speaking about the project on Instagram last year, Madonna 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.’
In October, the Material Girl songstress and Cody revealed that the script had already reached 133 pages – which Cody called ‘insane’ and ‘biblical.’
‘That’s a big script,’ she observed, with Madonna replying: ‘It’s a big life!’
Madonna has past directed projects such as the 2008 drama Filth and Wisdom and the Abbie Corning movie W.E. in 2011.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member has been a musical mainstay for more than 35 years; she had her first number one hit with 1984’s Like a Virgin – en route to a historically-successful career in which she’s sold more than 335 million albums.
Madonna and Cody were also seen together in an Instagram post last week, with Madonna captioning it, ‘Are you ready for the story of my life… Am I?’ with the hashtags #livetotell #diablocody and #screenplay.
Live To Tell, a potential name for the movie, was the name of a hit ballad she had early in her career in 1986.
The ladies who are being considered to play the acclaimed pop sensation have certainly achieved a lot in their own careers already – from Oscar nominations to making Time’s 30 Most Influential Teens list.
Julia Garner
Garner was born on February 1, 1994, in The Bronx, New York. At the age of 15, she began taking acting lessons in an attempt to overcome her shyness, and soon fell in love with the art. She is pictured in 2022
She had her movie debut at age 17 in the flick Martha Marcy May Marlene, alongside Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, Sarah Paulson, and Hugh Dancy. She is pictured in February 2022
After that, she acted in the horror film The Last Exorcism Part II, the American remake of the Mexican thriller We Are What We Are, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Paul Weitz’s Grandma, The Assistant, and more. She is pictured in 2021
Garner was born on February 1, 1994, in The Bronx, New York. At the age of 15, she began taking acting lessons in an attempt to overcome her shyness, and soon fell in love with the art.
She had her movie debut at age 17 in the flick Martha Marcy May Marlene, alongside Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, Sarah Paulson, and Hugh Dancy.
In 2012, director David Chase wrote a small role for her in his movie Not Fade Away. She then went on to star in the independent film Electrick Children.
After that, she acted in the horror film The Last Exorcism Part II, the American remake of the Mexican thriller We Are What We Are, the Sin City sequel, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Paul Weitz’s Grandma, The Assistant alongside Matthew Macfadyen, Makenzie Leigh, Kristine Forseth, and Jon Orsini, and more.
She recently played played Anna (Sorokin) Delvey in Netflix’s Inventing Anna. She is pictured in the show
She was then cast in the third season of the FX spy series The Americans, and continued the role through season six, as well as the Netflix miniseries Maniac, the Bravo true crime anthology series Dirty John, and Amazon’s Modern Love.
In 2017, she starred as Ruth Langmore in the Netflix series Ozark, alongside Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, which earned her two consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She also played Anna (Sorokin) Delvey in Netflix’s Inventing Anna.
Currently, she’s set to star in the thriller film Apartment 7A, as well as The Royal Hotel. She married singer Mark Foster – who is the lead vocalist of Foster the People – in December 2019.
Sydney Sweeney
Sweeney (pictured in 2021) was born on September 12, 1997, in Spokane, Washington. She first became interested in acting after she auditioned to be an extra in an independent movie that was filming in her area
She is most known for her role in Euphoria, but before that, she made guest appearances in shows like 90210, Criminal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, and more. She is pictured in Euphora
Sweeney was born on September 12, 1997, in Spokane, Washington.
She first became interested in acting after she auditioned to be an extra in an independent movie that was filming in her area. She then began booking commercial jobs, before relocating to Los Angeles, California, at age 14.
She is most known for her role in Euphoria, but before that, she made guest appearances in shows like 90210, Criminal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, and more.
She also acted in the Netflix series Everything Sucks!, the HBO miniseries Sharp Objects, and starred in the second season of The Handmaid’s Tale.
She also acted in the Netflix series Everything Sucks!, the HBO miniseries Sharp Objects, and starred in the second season of The Handmaid’s Tale. She is pictured in January 2022
Her other acting credits include the 2018 movie Under the Silver Lake, the thriller Along Came the Devil, the drama Clementine, Big Time Adolescence, Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, and others. She is pictured in 2021
Her other acting credits include the 2018 movie Under the Silver Lake, the thriller Along Came the Devil, the drama Clementine, Big Time Adolescence alongside Pete Davidson, Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, the HBO show White Lotus, and others.
She’s now gearing up to star in HBO Max’s TV series adaptation of Jessica Goodman’s novel They Wish They Were Us, called The Players Table – which she is also going to executive produce with her company Fifty-Fifty Film. It’s going to star singer Halsey.
Besides acting, Sydney is also a trained MMA fighter. As for her love life, she is currently dating Jonathan Davino – and they have been together since 2018. She was recently spotted wearing a massive diamond ring on her ring finger, leading to speculation that they are engaged.
Barbie Ferreira
Ferreira was born in Queens, New York City, on December 14, 1996. She grew up in Maywood, New Jersey, and is of Brazilian descent. She is pictured in 2021
Before landing her role in Euphoria, she also appeared in two episodes of HBO’s Divorce. She also starred in Unpregnant opposite Haley Lu Richardson, and the show The Afterparty. She is pictured in Euphora
As a teen, she began modeling after she sent photos of herself to an American Apparel open casting call. She then starred in campaigns for big brands like Aerie, Adidas, Forever21, H&M, Missguided, and Target. She is pictured in 2021
Ferreira was born in Queens, New York City, on December 14, 1996. She grew up in Maywood, New Jersey, and is of Brazilian descent.
As a teen, she began modeling after she sent photos of herself to an American Apparel open casting call. She then starred in campaigns for big brands like Aerie, Adidas, Forever21, H&M, Missguided, and Target.
Her first acting role was in 2018 in the Vice series How To Behave, which won her a Webby Award for Best Web Personality/Host. She also starred in Teen Vogue’s web series Body Part, where she spoke about body positivity.
Before landing her role in Euphoria, she also appeared in two episodes of HBO’s Divorce. She also starred in Unpregnant opposite Haley Lu Richardson, and the show The Afterparty.
In 2016, she was named on Time’s 30 Most Influential Teens list. She is queer, and has been dating Elle Puckett for a few years now.
Florence Pugh
Pugh hails from Oxford, England, and was born on January 3, 1996. As a child, she suffered from a condition called tracheomalacia, which led to frequent hospitalizations. She is pictured in 2021
In 2014, Pugh (pictured in 2021) landed her first role – the drama The Falling, alongside Maisie Williams. She then went on to star in Lady Macbeth, the ITV detective series Marcella, King Lear, Netflix’s Outlaw King, The Little Drummer Girl, and more
Pugh hails from Oxford, England, and was born on January 3, 1996. As a child, she suffered from a condition called tracheomalacia – when the cartilage that keeps the airway open collapses – which led to frequent hospitalizations.
In 2014, while she was still in school, Pugh landed her first role – the drama The Falling, alongside Maisie Williams.
She then went on to star in the independent drama Lady Macbeth, the ITV detective series Marcella, King Lear, Netflix’s Outlaw King (which also starred Chris Pine), the miniseries The Little Drummer Girl, sports comedy Fighting with My Family, and more.
In 2018, she earned a nomination for the BAFTA Rising Star Award at the 71st British Academy Film Awards.
In 2019, she acted in the horror movie Midsommar opposite Jack Reynor. She also starred in the movie Little Women that year, earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She is pictured in Midsommar
She also famously played Yelena Belova in the Marvel movie Black Widow, and reprised the role for the Disney+ series Hawkeye (pictured)
She’s currently set to star in Olivia Wilde’s upcoming thriller Don’t Worry Darling, alongside Harry Styles, as well as The Wonder, an adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel of the same name. She is pictured in July 2021
In 2019, she acted in the horror movie Midsommar opposite Jack Reynor. She also starred in the movie Little Women that year, which also starred Saoirse Ronana and Emma Watson and was directed by Greta Gerwig. She earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance.
She also famously played Yelena Belova in the Marvel movie Black Widow, and reprised the role for the Disney+ series Hawkeye.
She’s currently set to star in Olivia Wilde’s upcoming thriller Don’t Worry Darling, alongside Harry Styles, as well as The Wonder, an adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel of the same name. She’s also recently been cast in the movies A Good Person, Dolly, Oppenheimer, and The Maid.
She is dating actor Zach Braff, and they live together in Los Angeles, California.