But broader audiences will have the chance to evaluate her latest effort, a historical romance titled "W.E." that has been picked up for distribution by the Weinstein Co. 

The independently made film, which Madonna wrote with her "Truth or Dare" collaborator Alek Keshishian, cuts between a relatively contemporary lonely woman in New York named Wally (Abbie Cornish) and the early 20th century romance with which she’s obsessed, that of Britain's King Edward VIII and American divorcee Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough). As Wally gets further immersed in studying the historical romance, she finds it was not as neat or as glamorous as it appears to be.

In announcing the deal Monday, Harvey Weinstein said that "Madonna has really come into her own as a filmmaker with 'W.E.'" He added, "It's a terrific addition to our U.S. release slate." The company says it is planning a 2011 release but did not offer further details; its release slate is relatively packed for the remainder of the year.

Madonna said in a statement that "'W.E.' is about the nature of true love, and the sacrifices and compromises that are often made." Despite the partial period setting, Weinstein added that the film's take was "smart, sexy and thoroughly modern."