SXSW 2024 is set to come to a close with one of the most anticipated romance movies of the year when “The Idea of You” has its world premiere on Saturday night.
Michael Showalter’s adaptation of the bestselling book by Robinne Lee stars Anne Hathaway as an art gallery owner who begins dating a beloved teen pop star after taking her daughter to one of his concerts. The novel became a viral sensation when it came out in 2017, with much of its success attributed to the fact that the musician character was viewed as a stand-in for Harry Styles. But now that Nicolas Galitzine has stepped into the role of fictional pop star Hayes Campbell, he hopes that fans see his character as his own unique creation.
In a recent interview with Variety, the “Red, White, and Royal Blue” star dismissed the idea that his character in “The Idea of You” is based on Styles. While he acknowledged that many of the book’s fans have compared him to the One Direction star, he stressed that he never tried to emulate Styles.
“It’s funny because it’s not a comparison that I’ve ever made,” Galitzine said when asked about how much Styles factored into his preparation for the role. “But people really like to make it. Hayes Campbell, the man I’m playing, is a very different character and we want him to exist in his own world.”
While Galitzine denied that Styles was an influence on “The Idea of You,” he still expressed hope that the rock star and actor would be able to enjoy the film. He even jokingly invited Styles to the SXSW premiere to meet him and Hathaway
“I don’t know him personally,” he said of Styles. “Harry, if you’re in Austin, Texas, in the next week come along and chill with Annie and I.”
“The Idea of You” will stream exclusively on Prime Video beginning on Thursday, May 2.
