Exclusive: Britney Spears' Biopic Lands at Universal in Massive Deal

Marc Platt, Jon M. Chu attached after fierce bidding war for the #1 'New York Times' bestselling memoir

(Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Updated to include details from the official confirmation from Spears’ social media.

The Ankler has learned that Universal Pictures has landed the rights to Britney Spears’ massive bestselling memoir, The Woman in Me. Jon M. Chu, whose Wicked is about to be released through the studio, is attached to develop to direct. Oscar-nominated producer Marc Platt, his collaborator on Wicked and the producer of La La Land is also attached.

“Excited to share with my fans that I've been working on a secret project with #MarcPlatt. He’s always made my favorite movies … stay tuned,” Spears posted on X.

A source puts the rights deal in the eight figures, with rights to Spears’ vast music catalog as part of the arrangement.

The book has been the subject of intense competition in Hollywood. Earlier, The Ankler had reported that there was interest from Shonda Rhimes, Brad Pitt’s Plan B, and Margot Robbie. The Ankler has learned that Sony, Warner Brothers, Fox, Disney and Netflix all vied for the project.

Spears’ The Woman In Me has sold over 2.5 million copies in the United States alone, was critically acclaimed, and became the fastest selling in Simon & Schuster's history, and hit #1 on the New York Times’ bestseller lists in all formats: audio, hardcover and ebook.

Universal Pictures has a track record in the musical biopic genre with Straight Outta Compton and 8 Mile. Outside of the Spears film, Universal also has a Snoop Dogg biopic and a Prince “music-inspired” film in development, as well as a movie inspired by Pharrell Williams’ childhood neighborhood that recently wrapped production.

Spears was represented in the deal by Hudson Management and CAA.