While traveling through Italy in 1985 to promote his breakout role in the coming-of-age drama “Vision Quest,” Matthew Modine was struck by what appeared to be a concert poster for the young singer Madonna.

Modine, then 26, quickly realized that the Madonna sign wasn’t for a concert, but was publicizing the Italian release of the wrestling movie. The title and marketing had been changed to emphasize the ascending Queen of Pop, who performed “Crazy for You” in the film.

“The title was ‘Pazzo Per Te’ which means ‘Crazy for You,’ ” says Modine, who recalls the European promotion minimized his main character in a jubilant wrestling match celebration. “This movie poster was primarily Madonna. Then there I was with my arms up in victory.”

The meteorically rising Madonna had wrestled away the “Vision Quest” spotlight with her screen debut, a three-and-a-half minute singing scene. As the cult classic film turns 40 on Saturday (available for home viewing), Modine, now 65, thanks the Material Girl for drawing worldwide attention to the sports drama.

“It’s a testament to Madonna’s power as a recording artist. She’s this incredible force of nature,” says Modine. “I was happy she got to break her career during a movie I happened to be in.”

‘Vision Quest’ at 40: A cult-classic sports movie

Over four decades, “Vision Quest” has become an inspirational movie favorite with its ’80s-power soundtrack and triumphant tale. A similar underdog story to the ’80s football classic “Rudy” (with wrestling headgear rather than helmets), the story centers on high school wrestler Louden Swain (Modine), whose daunting life mission is to battle regional bad boy Shute (Frank Jasper) while finding love with beautiful Carla (Linda Fiorentino).

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has name-checked the flick as his all-time favorite movie, which he screens to inspire his team. UFC CEO Dana White extols “Vision Quest” as “the movie that changed the trajectory of my life” (as seen in a video clip Modine tweeted in November).

“The funny thing about ‘Vision Quest’ is that it’s a perennial, it keeps finding an audience,” says Modine. “People love it.”

Modine packed on muscle and sweated through two months of intensive training with wrestling coach Cash Stone and high school champion wrestlers to perform on the mats believably. The intricate training drills also feature young actors playing Louden’s teammates, such as Forest Whitaker (as Balldozer) and “Sixteen Candles” heartthrob Michael Schoeffling (as Louden’s troubled bestie, Kuch). Drama school graduate Fiorentino, only one year older than Modine, broke out with her movie debut as Louden’s mysterious older love interest, Carla.

Madonna was on a superstar ‘Vision Quest’ during filming

Filming in late 1983, the newly signed Warner Bros. artist Madonna did not have time to make much of an impression on the set in Spokane, Washington. The actors briefly met the singer who would perform at the Bigfoot Pub & Eatery for a pivotal scene where Carla and Louden slow dance.

“It was this young girl from New York via Michigan who was going to sing a couple of songs,” says Modine. “We had never heard of Madonna. But it was nice to have something sweet to dance to.”

Wearing her soon-to-be trademark lace headband and cross earrings, Madonna opens the scene singing and dancing to her song “Gambler.” Without any between-song banter, the singer slows it down for “Crazy for You,” prompting Carla and Louden to dance. “Crazy for You” receives repeat plays in scenes throughout the movie.

“She was on set for four or five hours. Then she was gone,” says Modine. “She had plans, big plans.”

After wrapping her film debut, Madonna mania exploded with 1984 video hits like “Borderline,” “Like a Virgin,” and “Material Girl.” “Crazy for You” reached the Billboard Hot 100’s top spot in May 1985, months after “Vision Quest” hit U.S. theaters.

Which countries changed the ‘Vision Quest’ title to ‘Crazy for You’?

Italy was not the only country to change the “Vision Quest” title to language-appropriate versions of Madonna’s “Crazy for You.” Argentina’s film became “Loco Por Ti,” and Finland followed suit with “Hulluna Sinuun.” Australia and the United Kingdom used both titles.

“I love the title, ‘Vision Quest,’ and everything that it implies. Louden is on this quest,” says Modine. “But ‘Crazy for You” is a pretty great title, too. So it all worked out.”

Modine went on to acclaim in films like Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket” (1987), won an ensemble acting Screen Actors Guild Award for Netflix’s “Stranger Things” and has become part of director Christopher Nolan’s acting stable, starring in “The Dark Knight Rises” (2012) and “Oppenheimer” (2023).

He was thrilled to meet Madonna for a second time, seated next to the icon at a fashion show a decade after the movie. The duo discussed the wild journey.

“She told me that whenever she does a concert, she sings ‘Crazy for You.’ It was a big hit for her,” says Modine “It’s nice that she acknowledged that she was part of that movie.”