Britney Spears Biopic Lands at Universal With Jon M. Chu to Direct
Universal is ready to hit filmgoers with the story of pop star Britney Spears’ life.
In a highly competitive situation, the studio has landed the rights to the singer’s 2023 best-selling memoir The Woman in Me. Jon M. Chu, who is helming the studio’s forthcoming two-part Wicked feature adaptation, is attached to direct. Marc Platt (Wicked, La La Land) is set to produce.
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Spears took to social media to celebrate the news. “Excited to share with my fans that I’ve been working on a secret project with #MarcPlatt,” she posted. “He’s always made my favorite movies … stay tuned.”
The Woman in Me, which was published by Gallery Books on Oct. 24, 2023, has sold 2.5 million copies in the U.S. Read by Michelle Williams, the audiobook was the fastest-selling in Simon & Schuster’s history and was Spotify’s top audiobook of 2023.
The book was the subject of numerous headlines, including Spears’ revelation that she had an abortion while dating then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake. She responded to the reactions at the time by writing on Instagram, “My book’s purpose was not to offend anyone by any means! That was me then … that is in the past!”
Spears, who won a Grammy in 2005, launched to stardom with her debut single “… Baby One More Time,” which was released in 1998 and became a smash hit, going platinum 14 times. In addition to a long list of hit singles, she has dabbled in acting, having starred in the 2002 coming-of-age film Crossroads, and performed worldwide on her “Piece of Me” global tour in the summer of 2018. Spears’ conservatorship garnered national attention before being terminated in 2021.
Universal hopes to continue its successful track record with musical biopics. Straight Outta Compton, which told the story of rap group N.W.A, surpassed $200 million at the box office, while 8 Mile, starring Eminem and featuring details from his real life story, earned the best song Oscar for “Lose Yourself.”
The studio is currently developing a biopic of Snoop Dogg and has a jukebox musical of Prince songs in the works from producer Ryan Coogler. Universal recently wrapped production on its untitled musical from director Michel Gondry that is inspired by Pharrell Williams’ childhood neighborhood and counts Williams as a producer.
Spears is represented by Hudson Management and CAA.
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