Emma Roberts Responds to Britney Spears Biopic Casting Rumors

Actress Emma Roberts says the rumors about her playing Britney Spears in an upcoming biopic are just rumors for now, but she would be honored if they came true. The idea has been circulating on social media since the movie was first announced, and Spears' former personal assistant Felicia Culotta recently told TMZ that Roberts would be her first choice for the role. Roberts responded in an interview with Cosmopolitan , saying she was honored to hear it.

"I was like, 'I love her assistant,'" Roberts said. "I mean, it's my true dream to play Britney Spears." The 33-year-old said that she has not heard anything official about this idea, but she is grateful for the speculation because "maybe it'll come true." She then explained just how deep her love for Spears goes.

"I remember I locked myself in my room and listened to In the Zone, and said, I cannot leave this room until I memorize every word,'" she recalled. "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."

News of this biopic first broke at the beginning of August. According to a report by Deadline , Universal obtained the rights to make a film adaptation of Spears' memoir The Woman in Me , which was published in October of 2023 and became a massive bestseller. Filmmaker John M. Chu was attached to develop the adaptation and eventually direct it, while Marc Platt is attached as a producer. Spears herself wrote on X that she is involved as well, and highlighted her excitement to work with Platt.

Beyond that, no other information on this project has been confirmed, including casting or creative credits. The movie is expected to depict Spears' entire life, which would mean that multiple actresses would be needed to portray her at different points in time. The book started with Spears childhood in Mississippi and Louisiana, her explosive rise to fame and her struggles to cope with celebrity. That also means more actors will be needed to play famous friends and loved ones such as Justin Timberlake and Kevin Federline.

Right now, Spears' biopic is in the early stages of development, so there's no word on what shape it will take or when we might see the finished product for ourselves. Her book, The Woman in Me is available now in print, digital and audiobook formats.