Exploring the Origins of Anne Hathaway's The Idea of You: Is it Adapted from a Wattpad Story?
Discover the truth behind Anne Hathaway's captivating novel, The Idea of You Unveiling a tale that transcends fanfiction, this article explores the rumors surrounding its inspiration from a boy band craze, offering a fresh perspective on its origins
During the tween years, Wattpad gained popularity as Anne Hathaway's movie, The Idea of You, sparked speculation about its connection to a popular online story. Back in the days of Twilight, One Direction, and teenage fantasies, Wattpad was the go-to platform for young fans. Writers and authors, aspiring and established alike, shared their work across all genres, with regular chapter updates and a reputation for fan fiction.
Many authors have been able to officially publish their work thanks to the online platform, raising questions about the upcoming movie The Idea of You, starring Anne Hathaway in a celebrity romance with an age-gap. Based on Robinne Lee's novel, the movie has sparked rumors among long-time Wattpad fans who are reminded of a popular fanfic featuring Harry Styles from One Direction.
Is The Idea of You about One Direction?
No, not entirely. According to Robinne Lee, the original inspiration behind her novel was partially influenced by Harry Styles from One Direction, although it has no connection to Wattpad or a fanfic.
The Idea of You Anne Hathaway Nicholas Galitzine. May 2nd, 2024 on @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/NMzwMyRdPA
— Anne Hathalegend (@AnneHathabae) December 22, 2023
Anne Hathaway plays the role of Solène (Sophie) in The Idea of You, a 40-year-old single mother and art gallery owner who is divorced. Upon her ex-husband's request, she accompanies their teenage daughter to a music festival, where she encounters Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the 24-year-old lead singer of the boyband August Moon.
As the story unfolds, a romance with an age gap blossoms as Solène and Hayes navigate the complexities of their relationship and find themselves falling in love. Lee revealed that the inspiration for the book came from a YouTube video of a young singer that she had never seen before.
A few years ago while my husband was away on business, I stayed up late watching music videos on YouTube. I stumbled upon the face of a boy in a band I had never paid attention to before, and it struck me as aesthetically perfect, almost like a work of art. I ended up spending an hour or so googling to find out who this kid was. In doing so, I discovered that he often dated older women, and that's where the idea for my novel began, she told blogger Deborah Kalb.
Years later, Lee told Vogue in 2020 that her novel was loosely inspired by Harry Styles of One Direction. At the time, Styles was the subject of numerous online fan fiction, much like Lee's novel. However, the fan fiction tended to focus on the idea of an ordinary female lead capturing the attention of the singer, which is why many Wattpad fans felt that "The Idea of You" was based on a fanfiction.
"Originally, this was not meant to focus on Harry Styles. It was intended to be a tale of a woman embracing her sexuality and finding herself as she nears 40, a time when society often diminishes the worth of women. The author expressed these intentions. The Idea of You is scheduled to premiere on May 2, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video."
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I'm intrigued by the exploration of the origins of Anne Hathaway's The Idea of You. The connection to a popular Wattpad story adds an interesting layer to the upcoming movie. Wattpad was a significant platform during my tween years, and I remember the excitement of discovering new stories and connecting with other fans. The idea that a novel inspired by a boy band craze could potentially be adapted into a movie is both nostalgic and exciting.
However, I also appreciate the clarification that the novel is not directly based on a Wattpad story. It's important to recognize the creativity and originality of authors like Robinne Lee, who draw inspiration from various sources. The fact that the inspiration came from a YouTube video and evolved into a story about a woman's self-discovery and empowerment is a refreshing take on the age-gap romance trope. I look forward to seeing how the movie portrays these themes and brings the characters to life.
