Aussie actress gets lead role in Britney Spears unauthorized biopic

An Australian actress has landed the lead role to play Britney Spears in an unauthorized biopic of the singer's life which is set to be released next year.

Fairfax Media said Sydney-born and New York-based Natasha Bassett has been tapped to play the part, after her breakout role in this year's Coen brothers' film, Hail, Caesar!

The two-hour TV movie titled "Britney" is set to trace the 34-year-old iconic singers rise to fame and her subsequent personal struggles.

"When you create something that truly affects people, whether it makes them laugh, cry or get really ticked off, whatever it may be, there's nothing better than trying to make some sense of the human condition through different complex characters and being able to share that with other people," Bassett said.

"Britney" the movie, will explore the singer's upbringing in Louisiana, her unparalleled career, her high-profile relationship with American singer Justin Timberlake and her subsequent two marriages.

However, a statement from Spears' representatives has said that the singer would not be contributing to the project "in any way, shape or form... nor does it have her (Britney's) blessing."

The film will be directed by Leslie Libman who has worked on other TV projects including The Wire, NCIS and Entourage. Endit