#SHOWBIZ: Britney Spears biopic writer says it's the 'right time' to tell her story

Liz Meriwether, the writer behind the upcoming Britney Spears biopic, feels it's the opportune moment to delve into the pop star's journey and the difficulties she faced. The New Girl executive producer is crafting the script for the film, which will be directed by Jon M. Chu and based on Spears' 2023 memoir, The Woman in Me. Meriwether revealed that the project allows for a reevaluation of the intense public scrutiny Spears endured during her teenage and young adult years.

She shared, "You find yourself in these conversations, and everything seems normal, and then you look back 10 years later and realize the foundation of that conversation was wrong." The 44-year-old writer admitted she is still in the initial stages of development but is intrigued by what made Spears' experience so distinctive, describing it as a "perfect storm" of attention and emerging media forms.

To gain a better understanding of the era, Meriwether has been immersing herself in Spears' music, expressing particular fondness for tracks like "Perfume" and "If I'm Dancing," while acknowledging that many lesser-known songs exist. Chu has indicated that Spears herself will be heavily involved in the project, though the development process is still in its early stages.

The director has also addressed fan speculation about potential actresses to portray Spears, emphasizing that the film's creative direction should be established before selecting an actor. Chu stated he has observed fan suggestions but wants to determine the film's approach first. The movie is anticipated to explore Spears' life under intense public scrutiny, including the nearly 14-year conservatorship that concluded in November 2021.