“WE KNEW THAT THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER.”
In this interview with Caitlynn McDaniel from Gayety, stars Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, alongside director Michael Showalter, shed light on the charming dynamics and behind-the-scenes magic of their latest romantic drama, The Idea of You.
The film, set to premiere on Prime Video, promises a journey of love, music, and self-discovery, centered around a 40-year-old single mom and a young pop star.
UNVEILING THE MAGIC BEHIND THE SCENES
Showalter is enthusiastic about the unique storyline, saying, “I’m just really interested in these characters as people.” He elaborates on the relationship between Solène, played by Hathaway, and Hayes, portrayed by Galitzine, emphasizing these characters’ depth and challenges.
“I hope that women and men too, see Solèn as a powerful woman who’s making her own decisions,” Showalter added. “And she’s a mom, but she’s also a sexual being and she’s got hopes and dreams and all of those things, and she’s just making her own decisions for herself. And I think she’s a really powerful character and a great role model.”
Meanwhile Hayes is the 24-year-old lead singer in the band August Moon. (You can meet the band by checking out their very official TikTok account here.) Hayes is about to rock Coachella’s main stage when he unexpectedly encounters Solène. Cue the charming meet-cute!
Showalter raved about recreating the popular desert festival but revealed they actually filmed it during the winter.
“You can even see there’s steam or whatever coming out of their mouths. We shot the movie in late November/December, so we’re actually in Atlanta when we were shooting that.”
A SPARK ON AND OFF SCREEN
The chemistry between Hathaway and Galitzine is palpable, both on-screen and off.
“It’s funny. We knew that they were absolutely perfect for each other,” Showalter said of the casting. “Just every day just coming into set, working together, having fun, seeing them create their characters and sort of become these two people and go on this journey for me. It was awesome.”
On-screen, their chemistry is undeniable, and off-screen, they bonded charmingly through texts.
Their first bonding moment, as recounted by Hathaway, involved exchanging get-to-know-you questions, which quickly evolved into voice memos due to the intensity of their exchanges. This not only built their characters’ connection but also fostered a genuine rapport between the actors.
Oh, and Nicholas is Greek, in case anyone did not know.
ANNE HATHAWAY WANTS A PRINCESS DIARIES SEQUEL
Hathaway also expresses her joy in rom-coms and her hope to continue working in the genre, reflecting on her experiences with iconic directors.
When asked if she will be in any future romantic comedies, maybe even one that stars the Queen of Genovia, Hathaway, unfortunately, did not have a grand update. However, she is eager to get the ball rolling.
“Send an X to Disney,” she teased.
Galitzine reveals personal touches he added to his character, Hayes, including carefully chosen tattoos that add layers to his on-screen persona.
ENGAGING WITH THE AUDIENCE
As the conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that The Idea of You is more than a love story; it’s a reflection on personal growth, identity, and the complexities of modern relationships.
It’s also just a lot of fun!
