Topline
Britney Spears has announced a biopic of her life is in the works after being acquired by Universal Pictures, which will likely cover Spears’ career and experience under a controversial 13-year conservatorship that put her in the spotlight after the #FreeBritney movement to release her from the arrangement went viral.
Britney Spears teased a biopic based on her life on Thursday. (Image Group LA/Disney Channel via … [+]
Key Facts
Spears teased the biopic via a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday, on which she said “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.”
Variety reported that Universal Pictures has acquired the rights to the film, based on Spears’ bestselling memoir “The Woman in Me,” which reached number one on the New York Times bestseller list and sold 1.1 million copies in its first week.
The biopic will be directed by John M. Chu, Variety reported, who directed the “Wicked” movie to be released in November 2024.
Marc Platt of “La La Land,” “Legally Blonde” and “Wicked” is set to produce the film.
Key Background
Spears released “The Woman in Me” in October 2023. The book details her life and career, particularly her conservatorship under her father, James P. Spears, which began after two hospitalizations in 2008. Spears said in her memoir that “everything was scrutinized and controlled” under the conservatorship, which gave her father control over both her estate and personal life, including finances, travel and relationships. It lasted for 13 years until a judge ruled that it was no longer necessary in 2021. In a court hearing, she called the arrangement “abusive.” The trial to end the conservatorship was heavily publicized and dominated by the #FreeBritney movement, which started in 2019 and was led by fans of the singer who had long been concerned about her well-being under the conservatorship and claimed that Spears was being controlled against her will. Fans posted on social media with the #FreeBritney tag and gathered around the courthouse during the trial to show support for Spears.
What We Don’t Know
Universal Pictures has not yet announced a release date for the biopic, and the cast of the film is also yet to be confirmed.
Tangent
Spears has not released her own music since 2016, when she released her album “Glory,” though she appeared on collaborations with will.i.am and Elton John in 2022. She said earlier this year in a since-deleted Instagram post that she will “never return to the industry,” but Rolling Stone reported on the same day her team was working on new music for the singer.
Further Reading
Britney Spears Biopic Film Set at Universal With ‘Wicked’ Director Jon M. Chu
The Biggest Revelations From Britney Spears’ Memoir ‘The Woman In Me’
