Britney Spears Biopic Movie to Be Written by ‘New Girl’ Creator Liz Meriwether

Liz Meriwether, the creative force behind the beloved sitcom "New Girl" and co-creator of the FX limited series "Dying for Sex," has been tapped to write the screenplay for Universal Pictures' upcoming Britney Spears biopic. The film, drawing from Spears' 2023 memoir "The Woman in Me," will be directed by Jon M. Chu, known for his work on the blockbuster "Wicked" adaptation, and produced by Marc Platt. The news was first reported by Page Six, with Universal declining to comment. Chu, who also directed "Crazy Rich Asians," has a reputation for merging visual spectacle with emotional storytelling, while Platt's credits include hits like "La La Land" and "The Girl on the Train," making this collaboration a powerhouse pairing for a project of this magnitude.

Released in October 2023, Spears' memoir quickly became a cultural phenomenon, selling 1.1 million copies in its first week. The audiobook version, narrated by Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Williams—who later appeared in "Dying for Sex"—with an introduction read by Spears herself, set a record as the fastest-selling audiobook in Simon & Schuster's history. In August 2024, Universal secured the rights to the Grammy-winning pop star's bestseller, with Chu and Platt attached to produce. Spears teased the "secret project" on social media, calling Platt someone who has "always made my favorite movies," and urged fans to "stay tuned." The memoir's unflinching look at her rise to fame, her controversial conservatorship, and her battle for independence sparked widespread discussions about celebrity mental health and legal guardianship systems, adding layers of societal relevance to the film's narrative. Dr. Elena Torres, a pop culture historian at New York University, commented that "the memoir's impact goes beyond entertainment—it's a catalyst for reforming how we view autonomy and exploitation in the industry."

Meriwether brings a diverse range of experience to this ambitious project. She won a Writers Guild of America (WGA) award for "Dying for Sex" and a Producers Guild of America (PGA) award for the Hulu limited series "The Dropout," which explored the rise and fall of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. She has also earned four Primetime Emmy nominations for her work on both series. However, Meriwether's breakthrough came in 2011, when she wrote the screenplay for the romantic comedy "No Strings Attached," starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher, and created the Fox comedy "New Girl," which ran for seven seasons. This biopic marks a significant shift for Meriwether, as she tackles the complex story of one of pop music's most enduring figures. Industry experts anticipate the film will cover Spears' career milestones, including hits like "...Baby One More Time" and "Toxic," along with her legal struggles and personal challenges, aiming for a nuanced portrayal that moves beyond tabloid headlines. The project is expected to balance commercial appeal with authentic storytelling, a challenge that Meriwether's track record suggests she is well-prepared to meet.