Back in August, Lifetime ordered a two-hour Britney Spears biopic that was set to start filming in Vancouver, for a 2017 premiere on the cable network. While the network still hasn’t announced an exact premiere date yet, they did release 10 new photos today, giving us our first look at actress Natasha Bassett as Britney Spears. These photos also give us our first look at Nathan Keyes as Britney Spears’ ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake, and Clayton Chitty as her ex-husband Kevin Federline. And they are slightly cringe-inducing.
Among these images from Lifetime include other members of Justin Timberlake‘s 1990s boy band N’Sync. We get our first look at Zac Vran as JC Chasez, Frankie Cena as Chris Kirkpatrick, Connor Paton as Lance Bass and Matt Visser as Joey Fatone. The release of these images could mean that the first trailer and a premiere date announcement could be just around the corner, but that hasn’t been confirmed. This two-hour biopic details the tumultuous story of pop icon Britney Spears’ rise to fame, fall from grace and eventual triumphant resurrection, firmly securing her position as one of the world’s greatest entertainers.
Britney Jean Spears was 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 singer Justin 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. Britney is produced by Asylum Entertainment for Lifetime. Steve Michaels, Jonathan Koch and Joan Harrison are executive producers. Leslie Libman (Manson’s Lost Girls) directs from a script by Anne-Marie Hess.
Lifetime has previously aired a number of controversial and unauthorized biopics that took fans behind the scenes of hit sitcoms such as Saved By the Bell and Full House. Shortly after the biopic was given the green light in August, Britney Spears’ rep released a statement, making it clear that she is not involved, “in any way, shape or form,” and that the project does not have her blessing. Take a look at these photos from Britney below, as we wait for more on this biopic.