The anticipated biopic based on Britney Spears' life is moving forward with screenwriter Liz Meriwether attached to pen an early draft of the script. Meriwether, known for creating the television series "New Girl" and writing the film "No Strings Attached," joins director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt, who had previously worked on a draft.
Universal Pictures is developing the project, which is based on Spears' 2023 memoir, "The Woman in Me." The book achieved significant commercial success, becoming the fastest-selling memoir in Simon & Schuster history and topping the New York Times bestseller list after selling over 3 million copies domestically and more than 6 million worldwide.
The memoir offers a candid account of Spears' life, from her childhood in Louisiana and rise to global superstardom to her past relationships and the highly publicized 13-year conservatorship. The book garnered critical acclaim for its raw and unflinching narrative.
While reports have suggested Universal might have been reconsidering the project, the hiring of Meriwether signals continued momentum. The film's creative team, including Chu and Platt, who are also known for "Wicked," aims to adapt Spears' complex story for the screen. The potential for the biopic to capitalize on the success of other recent musical biopics, such as "Michael," which achieved significant box office success, is also noted.
Spears' life has been a subject of intense public interest, marked by her music career and personal struggles, including her eventual release from the conservatorship in 2021. Public perception of Spears has shifted in recent years, with increased empathy and support stemming from a reevaluation of her treatment by the media in the early 2000s.
Several production companies and figures, including Shonda Rhimes, Brad Pitt's Plan B, and Margot Robbie's LuckyChap, reportedly vied for the rights to adapt Spears' memoir. Universal ultimately secured the project. A spokesperson for Universal declined to comment on the hiring.