Exploring the Age Difference Between Anne Hathaway & Nicholas Galitzine in The Idea of You

In the age-gap romance film "The Idea of You," Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway take on the lead roles, even though their real-life ages don't quite match their characters. The movie is based on a novel by Robinne Lee, who is also known for her acting in "Fifty Shades Darker" and "Fifty Shades Freed." Directed by Michael Showalter, known for "The Big Sick," this rom-com project has a strong pedigree.

Galitzine stars as Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of a boy band, and is quickly rising in the industry with roles in recent films like "Purple Hearts" and "Red, White, & Royal Blue." Hathaway, on the other hand, plays Solène Marchand, a single mother, and is a seasoned actress with a wide range of roles in major films such as "The Princess Diaries," "The Devil Wears Prada," and "Les Misérables," for which she won an Oscar. Despite their age difference from their characters, their talent and experience make them perfect for their respective roles.

Anne Hathaway Is 41, And Nicholas Galitzine Is 29

The actors' age gap is slightly different from the characters'

Anne Hathaway as Solene and Nicholas Galitzine as Hayes Campbell Snuggling on the Poster for The Idea of You - The actors' age gap is slightly different from the characters' - Anne Hathaway Is 41, And Nicholas Galitzine Is 29

In real life, Hathaway is currently 41 years old while Galitzine is 29. The filming for the Idea of You movie started in October 2022, which means Hathaway was 39 when it began and likely turned 40 before it ended, as her birthday is on November 12. On the other hand, Galitzine celebrated his birthday shortly before production began on September 29, making him 27 during the filming.

Galitzine is currently at an age where it is common for actors to portray younger characters. This creates an age difference of approximately 12 years between the actors in real life. The age gap is slightly smaller than the characters they play, with Solène being 40 years old and Hayes Campbell being 24, resulting in a 16-year age difference. Despite this, Galitzine is still at an age where actors often take on roles that are younger than their actual age. For example, he recently portrayed the teenage character Jeff in the 2023 high school comedy film Bottoms.

How The Idea Of You Movie's Age-Gap Is Different To The Book

Some changes have been made when adapting The Idea of You

The Inspiration Behind The Idea Of You's Age-Gap Romance

The age gap between the actors in "The Idea of You" may differ slightly from their characters, but what is interesting is that the movie itself features a different age gap compared to the original novel. In the book by Robinne Lee, the character Solène is 39 years old instead of 40 as portrayed in the movie. On the other hand, Hayes Campbell's age seems to have been slightly increased in the film, possibly to align better with actor Galitzine's real age. In the book, Hayes is only 20 years old, resulting in a notable 19-year age gap between the characters.

The movie has parallels to a real-life celebrity

Anne Hathaway as Solene lying on Nicholas Galitzine as Hayes Campbell as they lounge on a pool chair in The Idea of You - The movie has parallels to a real-life celebrity - The Inspiration Behind The Idea Of You's Age-Gap Romance

Contrary to rumors, The Idea of You is not based on Harry Styles fanfiction. However, the character of Hayes Campbell is inspired by the former One Direction member. The movie delves into the challenges of an age-gap romance under intense media scrutiny, drawing from Styles' onstage charisma and devoted fanbase. The storyline explores whether the strong attraction between the characters can withstand the public attention commonly faced by celebrities like Styles.

Editor's P/S:

The age gap between the actors in "The Idea of You" has sparked some discussion, with some questioning whether it is appropriate for a 41-year-old woman to play a 40-year-old character opposite a 29-year-old man playing a 24-year-old. However, it is important to note that age gaps in romantic relationships are not uncommon, and the actors' ages do not necessarily reflect the characters' ages. In fact, the movie itself features a different age gap compared to the original novel, which suggests that the filmmakers intentionally made this change to better fit the story and characters.

Ultimately, the success of "The Idea of You" will depend on the performances of Hathaway and Galitzine, and their ability to portray the characters' chemistry and