Emma Roberts Responds to Britney Spears Biopic Casting Rumor: 'It's My True Dream to Play' Her

Mar. 15, 2025

Emma Roberts in Saint-Tropez, France, on July 23, 2024; Britney Spears in Beverly Hills, California, on April 12, 2018.Photo:Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty; J. Merritt/Getty

Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty; J. Merritt/Getty

Emma Robertswould count herself “Lucky” to step intoBritney Spears' shoes for the upcoming movie about her life.After news of abiopic in the works based on Spears' 2023 memoirThe Woman in Me, the singer’s former longtime assistant Felicia Culotta toldTMZshe thinks Roberts, 33, would be a good casting choice for Spears, now 42, in the film.“I was like,I love her assistant,” Roberts said in a new interview withCosmopolitan, reacting to the suggestion. “I mean, it’s my true dream to play Britney Spears. It’s a rumor, but I hope maybe it’ll come true.“TheScream Queensalum is a longtime fan of Spears, telling the magazine, “I mean, I remember I locked myself in my room and listened to [Spears' 2003 album]In the Zoneand said, ‘I cannot leave this room until I memorize every word.’ “Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Emma Roberts in New York City on Nov. 22, 2009; Britney Spears in Los Angeles in 1999.Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicRoberts went on to share that nowadays, she even sings Spears' songs to her 3-year-old sonRhodes"in the bath all the time.““I’m always like, ‘God, he must think I’m so weird.’ That’s some millennial parenting,” she toldCosmopolitan.Universal Pictures announced Aug. 1 that it secured the rights toThe Woman in Meafter a “highly competitive auction,” according to a press release.WickeddirectorJon M. Chuis set to direct, whileMarc Plattwill produce. No official casting announcements have been revealed yet.Spears wroteon X Aug. 1, “Excited to share with my fans that I’ve been working on a secret project with #MarcPlatt. He’s always made my favorite movies … stay tuned.“The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Cover of Britney Spears' 2023 memoirThe Woman in Me.Gallery BooksFour months earlier, Roberts appeared onLive with Mark and Kelly, where she shared a memory of a childhood birthday when her momKelly Cunninghamand auntJulia Robertssurprised her with a call from Spears.TheAmerican Horror Storyactress remembered the pop star saying, “Happy birthday, Emma. It’s Britney Spears.” But she mistakenlythought it was a prank, adding, “I looked at them and hung up and was like, ‘Mm-hmm, nice.’ And they were like, ‘No, that was her.’ ““I was — still am — the biggest Britney Spears fan,” Roberts explained. “And I literally started crumbling and I was like, ‘Can we get her back on the phone?’ They got her back on the phone.”JokedKelly Ripa, “Star 69 or whatever.”“I was likeclickright [away],” Roberts added as she indicated hanging up the phone. “I’m so sorry, Britney.”

Emma Robertswould count herself “Lucky” to step intoBritney Spears' shoes for the upcoming movie about her life.

After news of abiopic in the works based on Spears' 2023 memoirThe Woman in Me, the singer’s former longtime assistant Felicia Culotta toldTMZshe thinks Roberts, 33, would be a good casting choice for Spears, now 42, in the film.

“I was like,I love her assistant,” Roberts said in a new interview withCosmopolitan, reacting to the suggestion. “I mean, it’s my true dream to play Britney Spears. It’s a rumor, but I hope maybe it’ll come true.”

TheScream Queensalum is a longtime fan of Spears, telling the magazine, “I mean, I remember I locked myself in my room and listened to [Spears' 2003 album]In the Zoneand said, ‘I cannot leave this room until I memorize every word.’ "

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Emma Roberts in New York City on Nov. 22, 2009; Britney Spears in Los Angeles in 1999.Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Roberts went on to share that nowadays, she even sings Spears' songs to her 3-year-old sonRhodes"in the bath all the time.”

“I’m always like, ‘God, he must think I’m so weird.’ That’s some millennial parenting,” she toldCosmopolitan.

Universal Pictures announced Aug. 1 that it secured the rights toThe Woman in Meafter a “highly competitive auction,” according to a press release.WickeddirectorJon M. Chuis set to direct, whileMarc Plattwill produce. No official casting announcements have been revealed yet.

Spears wroteon X Aug. 1, “Excited to share with my fans that I’ve been working on a secret project with #MarcPlatt. He’s always made my favorite movies … stay tuned.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Cover of Britney Spears' 2023 memoirThe Woman in Me.Gallery Books

Gallery Books

Four months earlier, Roberts appeared onLive with Mark and Kelly, where she shared a memory of a childhood birthday when her momKelly Cunninghamand auntJulia Robertssurprised her with a call from Spears.

TheAmerican Horror Storyactress remembered the pop star saying, “Happy birthday, Emma. It’s Britney Spears.” But she mistakenlythought it was a prank, adding, “I looked at them and hung up and was like, ‘Mm-hmm, nice.’ And they were like, ‘No, that was her.’ "

“I was — still am — the biggest Britney Spears fan,” Roberts explained. “And I literally started crumbling and I was like, ‘Can we get her back on the phone?’ They got her back on the phone.”

JokedKelly Ripa, “Star 69 or whatever.”

“I was likeclickright [away],” Roberts added as she indicated hanging up the phone. “I’m so sorry, Britney.”

source: people.com