‘The Idea Of You’ True Story: Is The Upcoming Rom-Com Based On Harry Styles?

Rom-com fans are in for a sweet treat! Prime Video just released the trailer of its upcoming film The Idea of You. Along with setting hearts aflutter, it has ignited a storm of comparisons, with fans speculating whether the film draws inspiration from the enigmatic pop icon Harry Styles and what’s the true story behind it.

Starring Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway as Solène, a single-mum, and the Red, White & Royal Blue star Nicholas Galitzine as pop sensation Hayes Campbell, the film promises a whirlwind of romance and intrigue, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats.

Adapted from Robinne Lee’s 2017 novel of the same name, the movie has sparked exciting discussions among fans, who can’t help but draw parallels between Galitzine’s Hayes and the One Direction alum. While Lee has maintained that her narrative doesn’t directly emulate Styles’ saga, the film’s teaser undoubtedly hints at drawing character inspiration from the charismatic star.

From Hayes’ inked body to the musical wizardry behind the fictional band August Moon, the Prime Video production weaves a magic of subtle nods to Styles, setting tongues wagging and imaginations alight.

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So, what’s the true story behind The Idea of You? Is it really based on Harry Styles? Here’s what we know:

The true story behind ‘The Idea of You’

As the trailer dropped on March 6, eagle-eyed fans wasted no time in dissecting every frame, uncovering striking similarities between Hayes and Styles and speculating the real story behind it. One scene, in particular, captures Hayes coMMAnding the stage with August Moon, reminiscent of Styles’ electrifying performances during his One Direction heyday.

it’s so obvious pic.twitter.com/zh9yKsp4jB

— ari (@happilyariii) March 6, 2024

Prime Video’s promotional poster further fuels the speculation, with Galitzine channelling an aura and style akin to Styles’ magnetic persona.

Yet, amidst the speculation, the author of the book The Idea of You, Robinne Lee has offered insights into the genesis of her tale. While she refutes claims that her work is grounded in Styles’ fanfiction, she acknowledges the iNFLuence of Styles’ personality on her character creation.

In a 2020 interview with Vogue, Lee confessed to sculpting Hayes as her ‘dream guy,’ blending elements of ‘Prince Harry-meets-Harry [Styles],’ with a dash of actor Eddie Redmayne’s charm. Her fascination with the Daylight singer’s journey, gleaned from endless YouTube dives and online musings, planted the seed for Solène’s enthralling journey.

However, Lee remains steadfast that her book transcends mere Celebrity fascination. “The Idea of You was never supposed to be a book about Harry Styles … it was supposed to be a story about a woman approaching 40 and reclaiming her sexuality and rediscovering herself, just at the point that society traditionally writes women off as desirable and viable and whole,” she shared with Vogue.

Did Nicholas Galitzine draw inspiration from Harry Styles for his character?

Nicholas Galitzine Discusses the Parallels Between his Character in ‘The Idea of You’ and Harry Styles – Seems like a political answer to me…. #NicholasGalitzine #TheIdeaOfYou #HarryStyles #AnneHathaway pic.twitter.com/IDY3DKFlS8

— BuzzFeed UK (@BuzzFeedUK) March 6, 2024

Meanwhile, Nicholas Galitzine, the actor playing Hayes Campbell, acknowledges Styles’ iNFLuence in shaping his character. In an interview with Buzzfeed, he admitted to drawing inspiration from Styles’ romantic entanglements with older women, infusing Hayes with a similar charm.

However, he maintained that the inspiration didn’t turn into imitation: “It was important to create someone who felt new and original and not a shoddy impersonation of this person,” he shared. 

The Idea of You will premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in March before gracing launching on Amazon Prime Video on 2 May 2024.

Check out the trailer of ‘The Idea of You’ below:

(Header and feature image courtesy: Instagram/Nicholas Galitzine/Harry Styles)

This story first appeared on Augustman Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Is The Idea of You movie based on a true story?
No, The Idea of You movie is not based on a true story. It is an adaptation of Robinne Lee’s 2017 novel of the same name, which is a work of fiction.

– Is The Idea of You movie about Harry Styles?
While The Idea of You movie draws inspiration from Harry Styles, particularly for the character of Hayes Campbell, it is not solely about him. The film explores themes of self-discovery and relationships against the backdrop of a sweet love story.