If there was something we didn’t expect on our 2024 bingo card, it was a Britney Spears biopic. Yet, it’s no joke—especially since Universal won a bidding war in the eight-figure range, beating out major production companies for the project.
The film is set to be produced by Jon M. Chu, the director behind “In the Heights” and the upcoming “Wicked” films, so we can likely expect a musical flair in his usual style. The rights to Britney’s extensive discography and her memoir, “The Woman in Me,” have been secured, and with rumors swirling that Britney herself will be heavily involved, we can anticipate a candid retelling of her triumphant and tragic story.
While the soundtrack, plot, and the details of Britney’s life are all highly anticipated, there’s one question that remains unanswered: Who will portray the iconic singer?
The internet is buzzing with fan-casting suggestions for the actress who should portray Britney Spears
First and foremost, it’s highly likely that Universal will choose an A-list star to portray Britney Spears. While the company hasn’t produced many biopics, the ones they have done, like “American Gangster” and “Darkest Hour”, featured powerhouse actors like Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman as Frank Lucas and Winston Churchill, respectively. This indicates they’re also taking this project seriously.
Britney Spears accepts the Best Female Video award for “Piece of Me” on stage at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios on September 7, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Since the announcement on August 1st, the internet has been abuzz with fans voicing their opinions on who should lead the biopic. Names like Madelyn Cline, Millie Bobby Brown, and Cailee Spaeny have been popular choices, mainly due to their physical resemblance to Britney.
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Many have also suggested Margot Robbie for the role, but that seems unlikely. Robbie was reportedly a major player in the bidding war for the film rights, and she typically stars in projects produced by her own company. So, her involvement as an actress less probable.
Lily James and Emma Watson have also been floated as potential candidates. Both have demonstrated their singing abilities in “Mamma Mia 2” and the live-action “Beauty and the Beast,” respectively, making them strong contenders if Britney’s songs are to be re-recorded by the actress portraying her.
Some fans believe a singer might be a better choice, with names like Addison Rae being proposed. Rae’s dance skills have often been compared to Britney’s, but her limited acting experience leaves some fans uncertain. Sabrina Carpenter, another popular choice, has also been mentioned for her singing and acting abilities.
Finally, other fan favorites include Florence Pugh, Mia Goth, and particularly Jodie Comer, who bears a striking resemblance to Britney. While all three actresses are highly talented, Pugh and Goth, especially, have focused more on dramatic roles, which might make them less likely candidates for this project. Ultimately, it’s only a matter of time before we find out if Universal listens to its future viewers