Key Highlights:
- The highly anticipated *NSYNC biopic, which was in development following the group’s recent reunion, has been officially canceled.
- Sources claim the project stalled due to a stalemate in negotiations, particularly with Justin Timberlake over creative control.
- Timberlake allegedly demanded an executive producer credit, a more powerful role than the other four members, leading to an impasse.
- The cancellation dashes fan hopes for a release timed to the band’s 30th anniversary in 2025.
Following the massive buzz from their 2023 reunion at the VMAs and the release of their first new song in two decades, *NSYNC fans were eagerly awaiting a biopic detailing the group’s meteoric rise. However, that project has now been shelved, and inside sources point to a power struggle with frontman Justin Timberlake as the primary reason.
The Dream is Over: Biopic Hits a Wall
According to reports from US Weekly, the planned film about the iconic ’90s boy band is no longer moving forward. The project, which had reportedly been explored as both a scripted movie and a behind-the-scenes documentary, has come to a complete halt. An insider confirmed the status, stating, “As of now, nothing is proceeding.”
This news comes as a major disappointment to the millennial fanbase that grew up with the group’s hits and had their hopes reignited by the recent reunion activities. The film was reportedly intended to be released in 2025 to coincide with the band’s 30th anniversary, a milestone that will now pass without the cinematic celebration.
The Timberlake Standoff
The core of the issue appears to be a disagreement over control. Sources close to the project allege that negotiations between the five members—Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, and Chris Kirkpatrick—reached an impasse. Timberlake, specifically, was at the center of the dispute.
The insider elaborated on the conflict, explaining, “[It’s] an element of control and power that they could not agree on.” According to the source, Timberlake sought a more significant role in the production, allegedly requesting an executive producer credit while the other four members would serve as producers. This hierarchy of control became a sticking point that the group could not overcome.
Unspoken Tensions and Past Controversies
While the official reason cited is a dispute over production credits, the conflict raises questions about the narrative control Timberlake may have been seeking. Any authentic biopic would have to address difficult moments in the band’s history, including the animosity surrounding Timberlake’s decision to go solo.
Furthermore, Timberlake has faced renewed scrutiny in recent years over his past actions. His breakup with Britney Spears, detailed in her memoir The Woman in Me, which included her revelation of having an abortion, brought their relationship back into the spotlight. Similarly, his role in the infamous 2004 Super Bowl halftime show with Janet Jackson has been re-examined, with many criticizing his handling of the “wardrobe malfunction.”
Although Timberlake issued a public apology to both women in 2021, his recent on-stage declaration that he was sorry “to absolutely f**king nobody” has been widely interpreted as a retraction, at least concerning Spears. It’s plausible that a desire to control the portrayal of these sensitive events was a key motivation behind his push for an executive producer title, ultimately leading to the project’s demise. For now, the story of *NSYNC will remain untold on the big screen.
Image Referance: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/hollywood-says-bye-bye-bye-160418110.html