The Idea Of Yous Solene & Hayes Casting Shares A Perfect Connection With 74-Year-Old Disney Movie

The casting of Solène March and Hayes Campbell in The Idea of You shares a perfect connection with a 74-year-old Disney movie. The 2024 rom-com follows the romantic journey between Solène, a 40-year-old woman, and Hayes, a 24-year-old man. The relationship is further complicated by Hayes’ role as the lead singer of a popular boy band, August Moon. Contrary to some beliefs, Lee has clarified that The Idea of You is not based on Harry Styles fanfiction. However, while the movie and novel follow an original story, the film adaptation has an interesting connection to an older Disney project.

The Idea of You cast features Anne Hathaway as Solène and Nicholas Galitzine as Hayes. The narrative centers primarily on their romance, which is complicated by Hayes’ celebrity status and the societal taboos surrounding their age difference. Hathaway and Galitzine have a 12 year age gap, which is necessary to portray these characters on screen. The Idea of You reviews have been largely positive, most of which praised the performances and chemistry between the lead actors. However, not only does Hathaway and Galitzine’s casting enhance the drama, but it also establishes an exciting connection with a classic Disney movie.

Anne Hathaway & Nicholas Galitzine Both Starred In Cinderella Remakes Before The Idea Of You

Hathaway Played Ella in Ella Enchanted, While Galitzine Played Prince Robert in 2021’s Cinderella

In a surprising turn of events, both Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine starred in Cinderella remakes before The Idea of You. Hathaway played Ella in Ella Enchanted, an adaptation of Gail Carson Levine’s debut novel that offered a feminist twist on the classic Cinderella story. It follows Ella, a girl cursed with the “gift” of obedience by a fairy, forcing her to comply with any command. Her journey to break free from this curse is the central plot of the story. Hathaway was approached to play this role when she was only 16 years old, and she also did her own singing for the film, establishing her as a breakout star.

Nicholas Galitzine, meanwhile, played Prince Robert in 2021’s Cinderella, which featured Camila Cabello in the titular role. Galitzine embodies the young prince who first encounters Cinderella at the town market. Impressed by her ambition, he catches her attention by offering to buy a dress from her for much more than her asking price. Unlike the Disney animated version, where the prince’s role is limited to falling in love, this adaptation of Cinderella gives Prince Robert a more developed storyline. The movie also established Galitzine’s romcom credentials, making him the ideal choice to appear opposite Hathaway in The Idea of You.

The Idea Of You Gives Hathaway & Galitzine A Similar Romance To Their Cinderella Movies

There Are Some Interesting Cinematic Parallels

Beyond establishing a Disney connection between the stars, The Idea of You also creates a parallel between the pair’s previous romantic storylines. As a Harry Styles-esque pop star and icon, Hayes is definitely a contemporary version of a prince-type character. For all practical purposes, he’s like royalty. Solène, likewise, is Cinderella-like by not really being able to be with him due to their vastly different places in life. The only difference is that here, the seemingly irreconcilable divides are age and fame, instead of Cinderella‘s wealth and status. These cinematic parallels make the casting in The Idea of You all the more intriguing.

The Idea of You (2024)

Based on the acclaimed, contemporary love story of the same name, The Idea of You centers on Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mom who begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. When Solène must step in to chaperone her teenage daughter’s trip to the Coachella Music Festival after her ex bails at the last minute, she has a chance encounter with Hayes and there is an instant, undeniable spark. As they begin a whirlwind romance, it isn’t long before Hayes’ superstar status poses unavoidable challenges to their relationship, and Solène soon discovers that life in the glare of his spotlight might be more than she bargained for.
 

Director

Michael Showalter

Release Date

May 2, 2024

Writers

Robinne Lee , Michael Showalter , Jennifer Westfeldt

Cast

Anne Hathaway Nicholas Galitzine , Ella Rubin , Annie Mumolo , Reid Scott , Perry Mattfeld , Jordan Aaron Hall , Mathilda Gianopoulos

Runtime

115 Minutes

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