Who Deserves A Biopic Like Madonna?

Madonna’s long-awaited biographical project is finally in motion again, with Julia Garner officially set to play the Queen of Pop in a limited series that’s now being shepherded by Netflix. What was originally a movie will soon be a TV program, which makes sense, since Madonna’s life and career are too big for just two hours. It’s somewhat surprising that it took until now for the singer’s story to be told in a visual medium, and the iconic performer isn’t the only female talent who deserves such a treatment.

There are many other powerhouses from the music world who should also have their stories shared, with the women below representing only a few that would likely make the most exciting final products.

Celine Dion

Last year, Celine Dion opened up like never before in the Amazon Prime documentary I Am: Celine Dion, but even that intimate portrait only grazed the surface. A scripted project could dive deeper into her working-class beginnings, meteoric rise, and poignant relationship with René Angélil, her husband and manager who she lost years ago. There may be hesitation to make such a project, as a fictionalized version of her life was the focus of the musical movie Aline only a few years back.

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson has already been the subject of a compelling documentary, and her family has spent decades in the spotlight, but hers is a story worthy of telling aside from her famous brothers. A dramatized series or movie could explore her evolution from a child star to a genre-defining icon, one who needed several tries to break out of the shadow of her siblings.

While the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic – which may end up in two parts – may complicate the timing, a strong performance at the box office film could initiate demand in Hollywood for a Janet-led counterpart.

Cher

Cher is no stranger to theatrical portrayals, as there’s already been a Broadway musical about her life, but the big screen still hasn’t caught up. A biopic is reportedly in early development, with Forrest Gump screenwriter Eric Roth attached, but apparently the singer rejected the Oscar winner’s first run. Whether or not he’s continuing to work on the project, or if anyone else will follow in his footsteps if he decides not to, isn’t clear.

Stevie Nicks

Fleetwood Mac’s drama is legendary, but it’s the tenseness between the musicians that made Rumours as incredible as it is. Stevie Nicks has always been at the band’s mystical, emotional center. Her poetic lyrics, tempestuous relationships, and success as a soloist make her the ideal focal point for a scripted portrayal – and any actress would surely be thrilled to play the legend. The group’s dynamics were explored in the Tony-winning play Stereophonic, but only loosely, and via fictionalized musicians, so the real story is still waiting to be told.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey’s The Meaning of Mariah Carey memoir set the stage for a movie, as there’s seemingly already a roadmap for a screenwriter to follow. Her history includes everything from childhood trauma to record-breaking triumphs, as well as one of the most notorious downfalls in pop music – paired with a monumental comeback. Carey has shared that a scripted adaptation is in the works with director Lee Daniels, but at the moment, there’s no timeline for when the venture may come to light.