Emma Roberts opens up about Britney Spears biopic casting rumour: “It's my true dream”

Virgin Radio

30 Aug 2024, 14:15

Tell Me Lies actress Emma Roberts has spoken out about playing Britney Spears in an upcoming adaptation of her life following the success of the pop star's memoir The Woman In Me.

With a film adaptation in the works from Universal and from the brains of Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu, now a leading lady is on everyone's minds.

After Britney Spears‘ former assistant Felicia Culotta suggested that the actress would be the perfect choice to play her, Roberts explained that she has been 'preparing' for the role for decades.

------------------------------------

DON'T MISS:

Ted Lasso Season 4: Which cast members are returning? When will it air? Everything we know so far

Taskmaster Series 18 reveals release date - and it’s soon

Chris Evans ‘genuinely can't remember’ being at Oasis' Knebworth gig and heard about reunion by text from This Morning

------------------------------------

The former PA noted that Emma also sang as a child star on the Nickelodeon show Unfabulous - while Britney first found fame on the Disney Channel series, The New Mickey Mouse Club.

Roberts told Cosmopolitan: “I was like, I love her assistant. I mean, it’s my true dream to play Britney Spears. It’s a rumour, but I hope maybe it’ll come true. I mean, I remember I locked myself in my room and listened to In the Zone and said, ‘I cannot leave this room until I memorise every word.'”

The Scream Queens star and niece of Julia Roberts added: “I mean, I sing Britney to my son in the bath all the time. I’m always like, ‘God, he must think I’m so weird.’ That’s some millennial parenting.”

Culotta, who worked with the Toxic singer from 1997 to 2007, suggested Timothée Chalamet would be a good candidate to play Spears’ ex Justin Timberlake, while Drew Barrymore would be a good version of the PA.

The New York Times’ best-selling memoir documents the singer's upbringing in Mississippi and Louisiana through to her 1999 debut album, and her 2008 conservatorship until now.

A source said previously: "Britney's book was a ground-breaking bestseller and raised the public's consciousness with regards to how the entertainment industry and conservatorships work.

"She's in advanced talks to turn it into a cinematic release and her songwriters have been informed that some of her songs will be used once it is greenlit. If necessary, the project could become a mini-series in the style of Genius: Aretha."