The Britney Spears biopic is moving ahead with New Girl creator Liz Meriwether joining as screenwriter. The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, is based on Spears’ bestselling memoir, The Woman in Me.Image credit (X)

Liz Meriwether has been tapped to write the screenplay for Britney Spears’ forthcoming biopic. The acclaimed screenwriter and television creator will work alongside director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt on the feature film adaptation, which is based on the Grammy-winning singer’s bestselling memoir.According to Variety, the news was announced as part of the project’s continued development at Universal Pictures. In August 2024, the studio had secured the rights to Spears’ memoir with Chu and Platt attached to shepherd the feature into production. Spears herself shared news of the “secret project” on social media, expressing confidence in the producers working on her story and encouraging fans to stay tuned for additional announcements about the film.

Details about Britney Spears’ memoir

Meriwether’s screenplay will be based on ‘The Woman in Me,’ released in October 2023. The memoir became a massive commercial success, selling 1.1 million copies during its first week of release. The audiobook version narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Michelle Williams and featuring an introduction by Spears herself became the fastest-selling audiobook in the history of a major publishing house.

Britney Spears’ upcoming biopic has taken a major step forward, with acclaimed writer Liz Meriwether joining the project based on the singer’s bestselling memoir, The Woman in Me.Image credit (X)​

The memoir’s popularity and commercial success underscore the public’s fascination with Spears’ life story and experiences throughout her career and personal struggles.

Liz Meriwether acclaimed career background

Meriwether has a wealth of experience in developing and producing respected television and film programming. She is a WGA winner for her work on the limited series ‘Dying for Sex,’ which she co-created with Kim Rosenstock. She is also a PGA winner for the limited series ‘The Dropout,’ which chronicled the rise and fall of a technology entrepreneur.Her work across both projects earned her four Primetime Emmy nominations establishing her as a respected voice in prestige television storytelling. Beyond her recent success in limited series, Meriwether’s breakthrough came in 2011 with the screenplay for the popular romantic comedy ‘No Strings Attached,’ starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. That same year, she created the classic comedy series ‘New Girl,’ starring Zooey Deschanel, which ran for seven seasons and became a cultural touchstone for its era.

Acclaimed writer Liz Meriwether has boarded Britney Spears’ upcoming biopic, bringing her storytelling expertise to the adaptation of the pop icon’s bestselling memoir.Image credit (X)​

Production team and Britney Spears’ involvement

Director Jon M. Chu, known for his work on major musical and dramatic films, will helm the feature alongside producer Marc Platt, whose production company maintains a longstanding relationship with the studio backing the project. Spears’ involvement in approving the creative team signals her active participation in ensuring her story is told authentically and respectfully on screen.