Britney Spears Biopic Lands at Universal with ‘Wicked’ Director Jon M. Chu

Universal Pictures has landed the rights to Britney Spears‘ bestselling memoir “The Woman in Me,” with “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt on board to develop the feature.

via Variety:

Spears shared news of the “secret project” on social media, writing that Platt has “always made my favorite movies” and telling her fans to “stay tuned” for more news.

At the time, Spears was quoted as saying: “I poured my heart and soul into my memoir, and I am grateful to my fans and readers around the world for their unwavering support.”Universal has a record of success with its musical biopics, including 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton,” which focused on N.W.A. and grossed more than $200 million, and 2002’s “8 Mile,” which grossed $250 million globally. The studio is currently developing the definitive biopic of Snoop Dogg, as well as a film inspired by Prince’s music, produced by Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media. The studio also recently wrapped production on project from Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry, inspired by the Grammy winners’ childhood neighborhood.

Meanwhile, the first chapter of Chu and Pratt’s adaptation of the hit Broadway musical “Wicked,” starring Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winner Cynthia Erivo and Grammy winner Ariana Grande, will release in theaters on Nov. 22. “Wicked Part Two” is dated for Nov. 26, 2025.

Spears has been relatively out of the spotlight since she was released from her conservatorship in November 2021. Aside from regularly posting videos of her dancing on Instagram, she stated earlier this year that she “never will” return to the music industry, and that she’s instead been ghostwriting songs for other artists.

She most recently made headlines after Halsey released her new single “Lucky,” which arrived hand-in-hand with a music video last week. In the lead-up to the song’s release, Halsey claimed that Spears gave her permission to interpolate her 2000 single of the same name for the song. But following the video release, Spears posted and then swiftly deleted a message on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that she felt “harassed, violated and bullied” by her portrayal as a “superficial pop star.”

Shortly after, she claimed that the post was “fake news” and that she had love for Halsey, who quote-tweeted the message and shared her support for the singer. “I love Britney!!!!” wrote Halsey. “I always have and always will ? you were the first person who ever made me realize what it means to feel inspired. And you continue to inspire me everyday.”

Who do you think should take on the role of Britney? Whoever it is, we hope she can twirl!