After years of research and months of filming, Madonna's film W.E. is set to hit theatres across the US on February 3rd.
The drama tells the real life love story of King Edward VIII and American Wallis Simpson and the fictional tale of Wally Winthrop, played by Abbie Cornish, who becomes engrossed with the couple's love affair when their estate is sold at Sotheby's in 1998. As Winthrop learns more about their lives she realises how difficult their love affair was behind closed doors.
The Material Girl first became interested in the story of the King and Wallis years ago, but never thought a straight bio-pic was the way to tell their tale.
"For many years it was just about doing research and trying to understand her character and her nature," said Madonna.
“Then when I found out about the auction at Sotheby's that took place, then I thought that was the perfect device to be able to go back and forth in time by using items that were a part of their life - whether it was a martini shaker or a cigarette case. And then of course I had to create the modern day character who was at this auction touching these items, and I wanted this modern day character to be going on this journey trying to understand the nature of love really.”
Madonna, who co-wrote and directed the film, said her time in the spotlight helped her relate to the pair.
"I could understand a lot of aspects of Wallis Simpson's life, having people kind of you know, view you from the outside, make judgments about you, have opinions about you, write things about you that are untrue - and not feel like you are able to defend yourself, that sometimes kind of makes you feel helpless," Madonna told Reuters.
“And you know, she didn't commit a crime, she fell in love and she was, you know, as she says in the film, 'if you do this, if we get married I will be the most hated woman in the world', and she was. And I think that was a really painfully experience for her and obviously I can relate to her life on certain levels. I think that a lot of people who are public figures have the same experience.”
Life as a public figure wasn't the only thing the pop star could relate to. She says she also has experience in making sacrifices for love, saying it's something we all must do.
"Whether you move to another country and you give up your roots. Or when you have children, you love your children, but you have to give up say your free time, your sleep. So I think we are in the process of making those sacrifices for love on a daily basis if we're in relationships or if we have children," explained Madonna.
On set, actress Andrea Riseborugh said Madonna's passion for the film created a wonderful filmmaking experience.
"She was so passionate and she had been working on the story for more than 10 years by the time I came to it and we spent seven months then rooting through every last moment of what might had been a version of their life. I trusted her implicitly. I trust her implicitly. She has incredible taste and has a very good gauge on where one is in the story emotionally. And when you're dealing with a huge arch of such a lot of a woman's life from 26 to 70 you really need that reigned in," Riseborough said.
Currently Madonna has gone back to her roots by stepping back into the recording studio to work on a new CD. But first fans will see her perform during the half-time show of the Super Bowl. Believe it or not, the veteran singer says she has a slight case of the jitters regarding the 12 minute performance.
"We can't fit the stage that I want to rehearse into the space that we are in, so we are a little bit cramped. I'm going to auditions for dancers tonight when I'm done with rehearsals so I've got to switch hats. So things are moving along, it's exciting and I'm a little bit nervous," Madonna told Reuters.
W.E. hits US theatres on Friday, February 3.
CBS