Wicked director Jon M. Chu teases upcoming Britney Spears biopic has ‘huge potential’

Wicked director Jon M. Chu teases upcoming Britney Spears biopic has 'huge potential'

As a film enthusiast and someone who has followed Jon M. Chu’s career closely, I must say that his journey in Hollywood is nothing short of extraordinary. From his humble beginnings as a dancer to directing blockbuster movies like “Crazy Rich Asians” and now, the highly anticipated “Wicked,” it’s clear that he has come a long way.


Jon M. Chu has hinted at the forthcoming Britney Spears biographical film, a movie version based on her top-selling 2023 memoir titled “The Woman Inside Me.

45-year-old film director has just taken up his position as the director of the upcoming movie “Wicked,” featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. This highly anticipated film is set to premiere in theaters on November 22, later this month.

During a recent interview with E! News over the weekend, Jon provided some fresh insights about the forthcoming biopic while discussing the movie’s promotion.

At some point, someone inquired whether the director had communicated with Spears (aged 42), to which he responded enthusiastically, ‘Indeed, I am extremely thrilled about it.’

‘I believe there’s immense opportunity for crafting a truly remarkable tale suitable for her. However, I’ll simply express my thoughts on the matter and let it be.’

Wicked director Jon M. Chu teases upcoming Britney Spears biopic has 'huge potential'

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter for a piece published on Wednesday, Chu gave a brief insight into the project’s transformation.

He conveyed to Britney, “She symbolizes a generation that came of age during the 2000s and even late ’90s. Her tale is one that needs to be shared authentically. It carries a lot about our experiences.

As your trusted lifestyle guide, allow me to share my vision for an upcoming project: While the script is still in its infancy, it’s clear that it will delve deeply into how we interact with diverse groups, including young individuals, celebrities, women, and mothers. I am eager to unravel and shed light on many intriguing aspects that this narrative presents.

As a devoted admirer, let me tell you, getting a shout-out from Spears on her social media platforms felt like a truly humbling experience for me. It was an honor beyond words!

I’m really fond of that! I believe she enjoys playing coy with the crowd in various manners. Therefore, I’ll allow the enigma around her to persist, but I can’t wait to collaborate with her.

Director Chu, known for helming “Crazy Rich Asians,” shared with the media that he’s been an admirer of Britney Spears for quite some time. He reminisced about seeing her perform when she was one of twelve artists at the Shrine Auditorium.

‘I’ve gone to many of her shows, and she’s always been someone I’ve looked up to,’ he continued. 

One year prior, in October 2023, the book “The Woman In Me” made its debut and swiftly climbed the best-seller lists following its release on store shelves.

Wicked director Jon M. Chu teases upcoming Britney Spears biopic has 'huge potential'
Wicked director Jon M. Chu teases upcoming Britney Spears biopic has 'huge potential'

Initially, Spears rejoiced as her memoir broke the record for being the best-selling celebrity autobiography ever upon its debut.

The Baby One More Time singer gushed to her followers on Instagram, ‘It’s happening!!!’ 

My memoir, penned by a famous figure, is currently setting records as the best-selling celebrity autobiography ever – and we’re just getting started! A big thank you to those who have shown such incredible support. I adore each and every one of you! #TheWomanInMe @gallerybooks @simonandschuster

She uploaded a photo of the book cover and included a short reel that had the words, ‘My story. On my terms. At last,’ appear on the screen.

Additionally, the audiobook edition became available, expertly narrated by the Academy Award-nominated actress, Michelle Williams.

According to TMZ, Spears opted not to recount certain family-related chapters from the book because they were emotionally challenging for her to revisit.

In her autobiography, the celebrity shares insights into her 13-year conservatorship, personal connections within her family, and experiences of fame, along with her relationships with Kevin Federline and Sam Asghari.

According to a passage shared by People, the celebrity disclosed that she underwent an abortion while she was dating her then-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake. This pair had been together since 1999 and separated in 2002.

Back in August, it came to light that the production of a movie based on Britney Spears’ life had been confirmed. This decision was made by Universal after they won a competitive bidding process.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that, alongside Chu at the helm of our forthcoming venture, the esteemed Marc Platt will be taking up the producer’s role. Platt has made a name for himself by contributing significantly to the Legally Blonde series, showcasing his exceptional talent and dedication in the realm of film production.

Wicked director Jon M. Chu teases upcoming Britney Spears biopic has 'huge potential'

In the meantime, Spears likewise verified the news by posting on her social media accounts: ‘Thrilled to inform my followers that I’ve been secretly working on a project with #MarcPlatt. He has always created my favorite films, so keep an eye out for updates!’

Following this, there have been rumors swirling about actress Emma Roberts potentially playing the role of Britney in the upcoming movie, but as of now, no formal casting decision has been made public.

It was apparently Felicia Culotta, previously employed by Spears, who introduced Emma’s name into the conversation.

The American Horror Story actress later shared her reaction during an interview with Cosmopolitan. 

In a candid moment, Roberts shared, “I expressed my feelings as if to say, ‘I adore her personal assistant.’ However, what I truly yearn for is the opportunity to embody Britney Spears on screen. Although it’s just a rumor now, I secretly hope that one day this dream might become reality.

What I recall is that I shut myself in my bedroom, put on In The Zone, and vowed not to step out until I had committed each and every word to memory.

Director Jon M. Chu is currently hard at work getting ready for the theater debut of his upcoming movie, “Wicked,” which is scheduled for release on November 22.

In this stage production, we have Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, and Jeff Goldblum taking the leading roles.

The second part of the film is slated to premiere in theaters the following year in November 2025. 

Wicked director Jon M. Chu teases upcoming Britney Spears biopic has 'huge potential'
Wicked director Jon M. Chu teases upcoming Britney Spears biopic has 'huge potential'
Wicked director Jon M. Chu teases upcoming Britney Spears biopic has 'huge potential'

In a recent chat with Forbes this past week, he reminisced about his time on set, collaborating with the cast and team to breathe life into the film.

As a lifestyle expert, I often find myself exclaiming to Ari and Cynthia: “Check us out! Everyone else seems to be hard at work, but that’s their path to success – the yellow brick road. We’re on that very road, and you two are like enchanted witches in your magical attire! This is absolutely surreal!

Looking at that iconic yellow brick road while on set stirs up many feelings for someone who appreciates films.

He further added, ‘And the scale of it, walking into Emerald City and having hundreds and hundreds of dancers.’

“We created something amazing – a life-sized wizard’s head that talks in real time. Then, to top it off, we managed to bring in a massive 60-ton train, where people could hop on and off.

Additionally, there’s a smoky atmosphere here that evokes the nostalgic charm of classic Hollywood films, such as Ben-Hur or Lawrence of Arabia.

Read More

2024-11-14 10:49

Previous post Gladiator 2’s Paul Mescal explains why he didn’t rewatch first movie