Universal Pictures is set to bring the life of pop icon Britney Spears movie on memoir to the big screen. The studio has secured the rights to Spears’ 2023 best-selling memoir, The Woman in Me, in a highly competitive deal. Jon M. Chu, known for directing the upcoming Wicked film adaptation, is slated to direct the biopic, while Marc Platt, famous for his work on Wicked and La La Land, will produce.
Spears, who skyrocketed to fame with her 1998 debut single “…Baby One More Time,” shared her excitement on social media: “Excited to share with my fans that I’ve been working on a secret project with #MarcPlatt. He’s always made my favorite movies … stay tuned.” The memoir, published by Gallery Books on October 24, 2023, quickly became a sensation, selling 2.5 million copies in the U.S. The audiobook, narrated by Michelle Williams, set records as Simon & Schuster’s fastest-selling and topped Spotify’s audiobook charts for 2023.
Read Also: Captain America Brave New World Debut Trailer Reveal
The Woman in Me delves into Spears’ personal and professional life, including her relationship with Justin Timberlake and the pressures of fame. Notably, the memoir made headlines for revealing that Spears had an abortion during her time with Timberlake. Spears addressed the public’s reaction on Instagram, emphasizing that the book’s intent was not to offend but to share her past experiences.
With a Grammy win in 2005 and a legacy of chart-topping hits, Spears has also ventured into acting, starring in the 2002 film Crossroads. Her “Piece of Me” tour in 2018 was another highlight of her illustrious career. The biopic comes on the heels of Spears’ much-publicized conservatorship, which ended in 2021.
Read Also: Despicable Me 4 Triumphs at the Box Office
Universal aims to replicate the success of previous musical biopics like Straight Outta Compton and 8 Mile. The studio is also working on a biopic about Snoop Dogg and a jukebox musical featuring Prince’s songs. With the Britney Spears project, Universal continues to explore the stories behind music legends, promising fans an intimate look at the life of one of pop music’s most influential stars.
