Over the past few years, the Lifetime Network has been in the process of rebanding itself, debuting controversial “unauthorized” movies that went behind-the-scenes of hit sitcoms likeSaved By the BellandFull House. Their rebranding has also included theWill FerrellandKristen WiigthrillerA Deadly Adoptionand the cult-classic remake ofMother, May I Sleep With Danger?fromJames Franco. Today we have word that the network has ordered a biopic centering on pop iconBritney Spears, simply entitledBritney.
TV Linereports that the network has castNatasha Bassettas thePrincess of Pop, although no other cast members have come aboard quite yet. The biopic will be produced by Asylum Entertainment for Lifetime, with production scheduled to begin in Vancouver on September 19, with Lifetime eyeing a 2017 debut. Here’s the official plot description, courtesy of the network.
“Britney Jean Spearswas just a young girl from Louisiana trying to make a name for herself in the music scene when her talent became undeniable to all those around her. While handlers soon began planning her every move, Britney found solace with fellow pop singerJustin Timberlake. Tragically, as Britney’s star continued to shine, her private life crumbled after the divorce of her parents and her tabloid breakup with Justin. Her personal behavior soon eclipsed her pop icon success as a quickie marriage to childhood friend and later, an ill-fated marriage to dancer Kevin Federline, became the talk of the world. With her life spiraling out of control, Britney hit rock bottom, lost custody of her sons and was placed under her father’s conservatorship. But despite her past troubles, Britney has battled back to rebuild her career to its former glory, proving to everyone that she’s a timeless force in entertainment.”
TheTV moviewill be directed byLeslie Libman, who has directed episodes ofNCIS,The Vampire Diaries,The Originalsand many more, is directing from a script byAnne-Marie Hess, who wrote and directed the upcoming movieGood After BadstarringBilly Burke. Before her writing and directing career took off,Anne-Marie Hessworked as an editor on shows such asKitchen NightmareandRich Kids of Beverly Hills.
Natasha Bassettmost recently starred in theCoen Brothers’Hail, Caesaras Gloria DeLamour. She will next be seen inHouse By the LakeandDesolatealongsideCallan Mulvey, but no release dates have been given for those films quite yet. Stay tuned for more updates on thisBritneybiopic as soon as more information comes in.
