Anne Hathaway addresses claims Harry Styles inspired her age-gap romantic comedy The Idea of You: ‘We weren’t looking for someone British’

Anne Hathaway claims the pop star character in her new romantic comedy The Idea of ​​You was inspired by Harry Styles.

In the film, Anne’s character Solène sparks a romance with boy band member Hayes Campbell, played by Nicholas Galitzine.

And fans have long speculated that Hayes is based on none other than One Direction’s Styles.

Anne talks in this week’s issue Stellar that the author of the novel on which the film is based, Robinne Lee, has denied any similarity to Styles.

‘You keep saying it. The author keeps saying this isn’t true!’ the 41-year-old told the publication.

“During the audition process, which I can speak to because I’m a producer on the film, we saw people from all backgrounds,” she said.

‘The idea was that we weren’t looking for someone who was British. We were looking for Hayes Campbell.

‘And if he were British, Hayes Campbell in the film would be. And Nick was Hayes, so Hayes became British.”

Anne quickly debunked rumors that the upcoming romantic comedy is inspired by the star’s previous high-profile romance with older woman Olivia Wilde.

Fans have speculated that Hayes is based on none other than One Direction’s Styles (pictured)

Anne says the author of the novel on which the film is based, Robinne Lee, has denied any similarity to Styles. ‘You keep saying it. The author keeps saying this isn’t true!’ Anna said

‘No! Everyone needs to relax,” she said E! News at the SXSW premiere. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t be so reactive about it. I just think no.’

Based on Robinne Lee’s 2017 book, Hathaway stars as 40-year-old divorced mother Solène, who takes her teenage daughter (Ella Rubin) to Coachella at the suggestion of her ex-husband (Reid Scott).

There a romance develops with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the 24-year-old singer of a famous boy band.

Styles, 30, started dating his Don’t Worry Darling co-star and director Olivia Wilde, 40, after filming the 2022 movie.

The One Direction alum previously courted controversy at the age of 17 when he dated the late TV personality Caroline Flack, who was 14 years his senior.

Co-star Nicholas Galitzine (pictured) said they have ‘tried to distance themselves’ from the rumours

Galitzine also addressed the speculation. “It’s funny because it’s become such a thing in itself,” he told E!

“We tried to move away from that, and I think Hayes is such a great character in his own right,” the British actor added.

“There were so many great references that we used: BTS for a lot of the choreography, which was really great,” he explained. ‘There are so many references.’

In another interview with AdditionalHathaway once again shut down the rumor. “No, just no,” she said, adding that the film is about “what it takes to recover from heartbreak.”

“And so I think in this relationship she’s starting to think that it’s just going to be a little bit of fun,” Hathaway explains.

“We tried to move away from that, and I think Hayes is such a great character in his own right,” the British actor said.