"Crossroads" Turns 20: Looking Back At Britney Spears' Big Screen Debut

Twenty years ago Britney Spears was ready for the world to start seeing her as the multi-faceted artist she knew she could be.

Spears boldly proclaimed she was 'not a girl' but 'not yet a woman' in a track from her third album "Britney" released in November 2001, and what better way for the then-21-year-old to show her entrance into womanhood while also showing off her mature side by starring in a coming-of-age-film?

Spears was cast as Lucy, a recent high school graduate who was determined to see a world beyond her small-town life living with her mechanic father, played by Saturday Night Live alum and big-screen legend Dan Akroyd.

Lucy's path to personal fulfillment also included her life-long wish to meet and get to know her mother, played by Kim Catterall, who had left Lucy after her parents' divorce. As luck would have it, two unexpected figures come back into Lucy's life and help her achieve her dream: her childhood friends Kit and Mimi, played by Zoe Saldana and Taryn Manning.

The trio, who were once close besties, had made a childhood pact to remain friends forever and achieve their biggest wishes, but as it often happens, they grew apart. When the newly graduated former friends come back together to honor their younger selves' biggest wishes, the trio agrees to set out on a trip to California together to fulfill Mimi's wish.

The girls find themselves cruising back into friendship as they embark on a road trip to California. Little did Lucy, Kit, and Mimi know they would all experience life-changing events that would bring them closer together!

"Crossroads" was released in US theaters on February 15th, 2002. The film, written by Shonda Rhimes and directed by Tamra Davis, may not have had a strong critical reception after its initial release, eventually became a cult classic among fans and teen movie lovers alike!

Looking back on the making of "Crossroads" is a positive experience for Davis, who recently recalled her experience making the film to Variety. Davis describes Spears "Proved to [her] she really wanted to do this and put in the work and wanted it and was very serious" about making the film.

Davis was also extremely charmed by Spears' down-to-Earth personality when they first met. Spears made a "hilarious" and "amazing" first impression on Davis, and the duo worked closely together while filming; Davis described Spears as "Always being involved" in every aspect of the film adding, "I don't think anything happened on the film without making sure Brit was happy with it."

Surely Spears would be happy to know how much her only feature film has resonated with audiences 20 years later. "Crossroads" leading lady had an idea of how her fans were responding to the film after its release. Davis recalled Spears having first-hand experiences witnessing the film's popularity saying, "When we would have screenings for girls, she would see what an impact she had and how the movie really affected people."

Filming her first film also really affected Spears herself; She told both Davis and the film's producer Ann Carli filming "Was one of the most incredible experiences and very impactful months of her life."

The film's legacy not only brought one of the era's biggest entertainers to the big screen for the first time, 'Crossroads' was instrumental in helping Taryn Manning and Zoe Saldana become household names. What better to expand 'Crossroads' legacy than exploring the idea of a sequel?

While there are no official plans to begin work on a sequel, Davis is very much open to the idea, but under a big condition: The OG cast reprises their roles! When asked about the possibility of a sequel, Davis responded "It would be fun and I would love it," but insists both Spears and Rhimes would need to be on board.

Even if this ultimate early 2000s fantasy never came to fruition, Davis would be content to reunite with her fellow 'Crossroads' crew and castmates for an off-screen reunion: "It would be the best," she says.

In the meantime, it would probably be more likely for the film to make an appearance on a streaming service. If you're looking for a 'Crossroads' fix, Davis wants to help!

She reassured fans she is actively trying to "Figure out who has the [streaming] rights because we want to make it happen." Can you imagine all of the Tiktok videos recreating Lucy's iconic dancing scenes?

The possibilities for the film's legacy are limitless in the hands of a new generation of fans. For a film deeply rooted in the importance of female friendships and a largely female crew, there are few ideas with more girl power than an ongoing legacy!