Anne Hathaway addresses claims Harry Styles inspired her age
Anne Hathaway has been fielding claims that 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 up a romance with boyband 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 tells this week's issue of Stellar that the author of the novel on which the film is based, Robinne Lee, has denied any likeness to Styles.
'You guys keep saying it. The author keeps saying it's not!' the 41-year-old told the publication.
Anne Hathaway (right) has been fielding claims that the pop star character in her new romantic comedy The Idea of You was inspired by Harry Styles. Anne's character Solène sparks up a romance with boyband member Hayes Campbell, played by Nicholas Galitzine (left)
'During the audition process, which I can speak to as I'm a producer on the film, we saw people from all backgrounds' she wen ton.
'The idea was we weren't looking for someone British. We were looking for Hayes Campbell.
'And if he happened to be British, that would be what Hayes Campbell would be in the film. And Nick was Hayes, so Hayes became British.'
Anne has been quick to shoot down 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 likeness to Styles. 'You guys keep saying it. The author keeps saying it's not!' Anne said
'No! Everyone needs to chill,' she told E! News at the SXSW premiere. 'Sorry, I probably shouldn't be that reactive about it. I just think no.'
Based on Robinne Lee's 2017 book, Hathaway stars as 40-year-old divorced mom Solène, who takes her teen daughter (Ella Rubin) to Coachella at the suggestion of her ex-husband (Reid Scott).
There, she sparks a romance with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the 24-year-old lead singer of a famous boy band.
Styles, 30, began dating his Don't Worry Darling co-star and director Olivia Wilde, 40, after filming the 2022 movie.
The One Direction alum previously drew controversy at age 17 when he dated late TV personality Caroline Flack, who was 14 years his senior.
Co-star Nicholas Galitzine (pictured) said they've 'tried to distance ourselves' from the rumors
Galitzine also addressed the speculation. 'It's funny just because it's become this thing in of itself,' he told E!
'We have tried to distance ourselves from that, and I think Hayes is such a wonderful character in of himself,' the British actor added.
'There were so many amazing references we used: BTS for a lot of the choreography, which was really great,' he explained. 'There's so many references out there.'
In another interview with Extra, Hathaway shut down the rumor once again. 'No, just no,' she said, adding that the movie is about 'what it takes to recover from a broken heart.'
'And so, in this relationship, I think she begins thinking it's just gonna be a bit of fun,' explained Hathaway.
'We have tried to distance ourselves from that, and I think Hayes is such a wonderful character in of himself,' the British actor said