Who will play Britney Spears? Sydney Sweeney leads casting buzz, Millie Bobby Brown in the mix

Nearly two years after Universal acquired the rights to The Woman in Me, the burning question surrounding the biopic has become a heated public debate: who will portray Britney Spears? The frontrunner currently is Sydney Sweeney, as per an insider quoted by OK! Magazine. While no final decision has been made, Sweeney's profile, versatility, and familiarity with the pop star's image make her a prime candidate.

However, this choice has sparked backlash on social media, with some doubting her ability to replicate Spears' performance style and question who would handle her singing and dancing. Add to this Sweeney's history of controversial ad campaigns, and some fans argue Addison Rae or Tate McRae would better fit the part due to their music and dance backgrounds.

Millie Bobby Brown, on the other hand, has been chasing the role for the longest time. In 2022, she told Drew Barrymore that a Britney biopic was one of her biggest career goals. Spears herself seemed to give a nod of approval online, responding to Brown's comments with "Dude I'm not dead!!!" However, Brown has since softened her stance, acknowledging Spears as an icon but emphasizing that it's her story to tell in her own way.

Other names in the mix include Addison Rae, Bailee Madison, and Kylie Schultz, with Rae seemingly edging ahead. Rae's TikTok dance videos, transition into singing and acting, Grammy nomination, and Louisiana roots make her a compelling choice. Rae himself has downplayed his chances, saying, "I honestly don't think anyone deserves to play Britney."

Madison, with her extensive acting career and pop music releases, and Schultz, a TikTok sensation who calls herself the "Britney Spears Biopic Girl," also remain in the running. Behind the scenes, Universal is reuniting the Wicked creative team with Jon M. Chu at the helm and Liz Meriwether as the writer. Meriwether described Spears' life as a collision of intense attention and new media, suggesting this is the optimal time to revisit her story.

However, the project has been stalled over direction and Spears' involvement, but recent talks indicate a more productive environment. Ultimately, whoever lands the role will need more than just a resemblance and a headset mic. They will need Spears' approval, which could very well be the deciding factor in the casting process.