Universal Pictures taps New Girl creator to write Britney Spears biopic

Thursday 09 July 2026 - 11:15

By: Sahili Aya

Universal Pictures taps New Girl creator to write Britney Spears biopic

Universal Pictures has moved forward with its highly anticipated Britney Spears biopic, appointing acclaimed television writer Liz Meriwether, creator of the hit comedy series New Girl, to adapt the pop icon's bestselling memoir for the big screen.

The film will be based on The Woman in Me, Spears' memoir published in 2023, which became an international publishing phenomenon by offering an intimate account of her career, personal life and years under a court-ordered conservatorship.

The project brings together an experienced creative team. Jon M. Chu, whose recent work on Wicked earned widespread critical acclaim, has been selected to direct the feature, while veteran producer Marc Platt will oversee production.

Universal's decision reflects Hollywood's continued enthusiasm for music biopics following the strong commercial performance of recent films chronicling the lives of major recording artists. Studios have increasingly turned to stories of globally recognized musicians as audiences continue to embrace biographical dramas centered on the entertainment industry.

Released in 2023 by Gallery Books, The Woman in Me enjoyed immediate commercial success, selling approximately 1.1 million copies during its first week. The memoir chronicles Spears' rise from teenage pop sensation to one of the world's best-selling recording artists, while also addressing the legal and personal struggles that shaped much of her public life.

The audiobook edition, narrated by actress Michelle Williams with an introductory message from Spears herself, also achieved record-breaking sales, becoming the publisher's fastest-selling audiobook.

Although Universal has not announced casting details or a production schedule, the adaptation is expected to attract significant attention from fans and industry observers alike, given Spears' enduring influence on global pop culture and the continued popularity of music-focused biographical films.

The project adds another high-profile title to Hollywood's growing slate of musician biopics, reinforcing the genre's momentum as studios seek stories that combine iconic music careers with compelling personal narratives.