Britney Spears has expressed a strong preference for Natalie Portman to play her in the forthcoming biopic based on her memoir, The Woman in Me. The film will explore Spears’ challenging experience under a decades-long conservatorship, with Universal Pictures having secured the rights to adapt the story in 2024.
Portman’s Suitability and Connection to Spears
An insider reveals that Spears considers Portman’s age ideal for the role, noting the actress is 44 years old, matching Spears’ current age. The source remarks,
“To tell that story, Natalie is the right age,”
and adds that Spears’ longstanding friendship with Portman builds trust, allowing for an honest portrayal of the pop icon.
Production Plans and Studio Hesitation
Universal Pictures has attached Jon M. Chu, director of Wicked, to the project, but no official production start date has been announced. According to the source,
“Natalie is still the first choice and she and her team are still open to the idea of joining the film,”
yet the studio appears cautious about moving forward immediately.
This hesitation is attributed to the studio’s need to gauge audience interest in the biopic genre, especially after recent cinematic disappointments. The source explains,
“The recent financial failures of the Amy Winehouse and Bruce Springsteen biopics gave the studio pause,”
emphasizing the importance of successful box office returns to encourage further projects.
Influence of Upcoming Biopic Releases on Decision
The studio’s next major test is the Michael Jackson biopic featuring Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, which is set to release on April 24. As noted,
“They just need to see evidence that there’s still life in the genre and audiences are still willing to show up in big numbers to see these kinds of movies.”
The source adds,
“If Michael is the hit people think it will be, things will move forward on the Britney move quickly.”
Significance of the Biopic for Spears and Viewers
The potential film holds significant relevance as it aims to depict a critical period in Spears’ life, shedding light on her personal struggles and legal battles. The project’s advancement depends largely on how similar biopics perform commercially, which will likely determine if the story of the Princess of Pop reaches a wide audience through this cinematic portrayal.
