8 Upcoming Celebrity Biopics to Add to Your 2025 Watchlist

Timothée Chalamet is set to take on the iconic role of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, a biographical drama capturing the legendary artist's rise to fame in the early 1960s. The 28-year-old brings his undeniable talent to the role, with Elle Fanning joining him as Dylan's girlfriend. The pair was recently spotted filming in New Jersey, already embodying the era's electric energy. Directed by James Mangold, known for his work on Ford v. Ferrari and The Wolverine, the film promises a genre-bending take on the music legend's life. Chalamet has fully embraced the method dressing approach for the role, even referencing a 2003 look of Dylan’s at the New York City premiere.

Production is underway for Deliver Me from Nowhere, the highly anticipated Bruce Springsteen biopic starring Jeremy Allen White. The film is set against the backdrop of New Jersey, the birthplace of Springsteen’s musical legacy. Based on Warren Zanes' Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska 1982, the film explores the creation of Nebraska, Springsteen’s groundbreaking sixth album. The album marked a pivotal shift in his career, moving away from his earlier, more commercial sound to embrace a raw, stripped-down approach that resonated deeply with both fans and critics.

Helmed by writer and director Scott Cooper, the project offers an intimate look at Springsteen’s creative process during the making of Nebraska. The film promises to capture the emotional depth of Nebraska, showcasing Springsteen’s vulnerability and his exploration of themes like loss, loneliness, and self-reflection.

Michael Jackson's highly-anticipated biopic, Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua, is expected to hit theaters on October 3, 2025, six months later than its previously scheduled date of April 18, 2025. The biographical drama stars Jaafar Jackson, the late King of Pop’s nephew, in the title role, with a star-studded cast that includes Nia Long, Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, and Laura Harrier. Written by John Logan, the film is produced by Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain.

After first being announced in 2020 and then news of a cancellation last year, it looks like the Madonna biopic is back on. And Julia Garner will take on the role of the iconic singer, as per The Hollywood Reporter. The audition process was anything but easy, with Garner beating out the likes of Florence Pugh and Alexa Demie for the titular role. Secretary (2002) writer Erin Cressida Wilson joined the project after Diablo Cody stepped away, with film producer Amy Pascal initially set to produce.

In July, Madonna teased the project on Instagram, sharing a series of photos of herself working on a typewriter surrounded by scattered papers. One still revealed a potential title, Who’s That Girl, a nod to her iconic 1987 song and film. Alongside the images, the Queen of Pop wrote in the caption, “I Need A-lot of Bandz to make this………..OKAY.” “(Story of my life.)”

It was announced in January that Selena Gomez will portray legendary singer-songwriter Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming film. The Emilia Perez star soon teased the role on her Instagram story, sharing a photo of Ronstadt’s 2013 memoir Simple Dreams. Her memoir, which shares its title with Ronstadt’s triple-platinum 1977 album, hints at the singer’s deep connection to the project.

The biopic, currently in pre-production, is being produced by James Keach and Ronstadt’s longtime manager, John Boylan. A director and additional cast members have yet to be revealed, but the film promises to explore the life of the 11-time Grammy winner. Both Ronstadt and Gomez share Mexican heritage, adding an extra layer of cultural significance to the project.

Paul Mescal is stepping into the role of Sir Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes' highly anticipated four-part biopic film series about The Beatles. The Gladiator II star will portray the legendary musician across the films, which will explore the lives of each band member individually. The series, eyed for a 2027 theatrical release, marks a bold cinematic undertaking by Mendes. The ambitious project aims to offer an intimate look at the four, with each film delving into the personal and professional journeys of these musical icons.

In 2021, it was announced Tom Holland would be taking on the role of the late entertainer Fred Astaire in a biopic. While speaking at an event in London the day prior to the announcement, Holland confirmed the casting but said he hadn’t read a script yet.

The project is being led by Wonka director Paul King, who recently shared updates on the biopic during an interview with ComicBook. Collaborating with screenwriter Lee Hall, King revealed they are deep in the script development phase. “We’re working on a script right now,” King said. “Lee Hall is a great, great writer...incredibly well-versed in the era and historically knowledgeable. Clearly, he knows his dance inside and out.”

Despite their efforts to craft a compelling story, the project has sparked controversy, as it moves forward against the wishes of Astaire’s fans and a clause in the late dancer’s will explicitly rejecting the use of his likeness in films.

In September, Shailene Woodley was confirmed to take on the role of the iconic late rock singer, Janis Joplin. The upcoming project promises to chronicle Joplin’s meteoric rise to fame and her final days. Known for her commitment to authenticity, Woodley is working closely with music legend Linda Perry to ensure a raw and intimate portrayal of the two-time Grammy winner.

“Shailene Woodley’s emotional commitment and dedication to Janis is inspiring. I believe her! Shailene lives for the art, and I can’t think of a better person to portray such a powerful, emotional, and complex artist,” Perry shared with Entertainment Weekly. The film is set for a 2027 release, per Woodley in an interview on the Tonight Show.