Britney Spears Biopic Film Set 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 attached to develop.

Spears shared news of the “secret project” with fans on social media, writing that Platt has “always made my favorite movies.”

Universal won the rights to the Grammy winner’s memoir (which released last October and has sold over 2.5 million copies in the United States alone) in a highly competitive auction. In the book, Spears chronicled her journey to pop superstardom from her “Mickey Mouse Club” days through her highly publicized and scrutinized conservatorship case, with remarkable candor and humor. The audiobook — read by Academy Award-nominated actor Michelle Williams, with an introduction by Spears — is the fastest selling in Simon & Schuster’s history.

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.

Spears is represented by Hudson Management and CAA. Chu is represented by Artists First, UTA, Allison Binder, Esq of GGSSC and ID.

The Ankler was first to report news of the developing project.

More to come…