Fanfiction is a well-known pastime in any fandom. Some fanfiction becomes so famous and successful that it’s adapted into a film series. Anna Todd‘s After novels initially started as a fanfiction via Wattpad, inspired by One Direction‘s Harry Styles. After has since been adapted into a series of films starring Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin.
Now, the 2024 American romantic comedy film The Idea of You, based on Robinne Lee‘s novel of the same name, is soon to premiere. It focuses on the lead singer of a famous boy band, portrayed by Nicholas Galitzine (Purple Hearts, Red, White & Royal Blue, and Bottoms), and his relationship with a fan’s mother, portrayed by Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway, who is sixteen years his senior.
Solène Marchand is a 40-year-old single mom who, at her ex-husband’s request, takes their teenage daughter to Coachella. In a surprising turn of events, Solène strikes up a budding romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of August Moon, a famous boy band.
— Wikipedia
Most assume that Galitzine’s character, Hayes Campbell, is inspired by Harry Styles. There are even side-by-side comparisons that indicate this is true. There are many parallels between Harry Styles and Hayes Campbell, from the tattoos to attraction to older women and obviously being a member of a five-person boy band.
If the story sounds suspiciously similar to a certain real life former boy band member-turned-global pop star who has had well-documented dalliances with older women, rest assured you’re not alone—there are legions of fans who have developed entire theories about whether or not The Idea of You could be inspired by Harry Styles. While Lee has said that the character of Hayes was inspired by a variety of different men, from her husband and Prince Harry to ex-boyfriends (and, yes, Harry Styles), the book for her was always about Soléne and challenging the ways that people think about women and their desires as they age.
— Time Magazine
@shanbooks this one is for the harry styles girlies!!! aka me #booktok #harrystyles #theideaofyou #theideaofyoumovie ♬ original sound – shan | book recs🏴
@yawndreaa respectfully, enough with the harry fanfic movie adaptations #theideaofyou #annehathaway #harrystyles #fanfiction ♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design
However, Lee has denied the story being “Harry Styles fanfiction.” Likewise, Galitzine told BuzzFeed UK that he didn’t want his character to be an “impersonation.”
We tried to create a character that felt, maybe akin to Harry in the sense that, you know, he’s a younger man dating older women. It was important to create someone new and original and not a sort of shoddy impersonation.
— Nicholas Galitzine
NEW • 🎥 | Nicholas Galitzine discusses the parallels between his character, Hayes Campbell and Harry Style #TheIdeaOfYou pic.twitter.com/jLyatVEYR3
— Galitzine Collective (@galitzineclctv) March 6, 2024
Yet, Galitzine has revealed that another famous boy band inspired elements of The Idea of You, and it’s none other than K-Pop group BTS.
Nicholas Galitzine revealed in an interview with E! News that multiple artists inspired the film when asked about Harry Styles. He specifically named BTS, as the group influenced the choreography for the fictional boy band.
It’s funny just because it’s become this thing in of itself. We have tried to distance ourselves from that, and I think Hayes is such a wonderful character in of himself. There were so many amazing references we used: BTS for a lot of the choreography, which was really great. There’s so many references out there.
— Nicholas Galitzine
Actor and singer Nicholas Galitzine said they used BTS as a reference for the choreography of his upcoming movie with Anne Hathaway called 'The Idea of You' 🥹 pic.twitter.com/wn9IV6oFl3
— ؘ (@tinyangeljoonie) March 20, 2024
Previously, ARMYs joked that they were glad Hollywood had yet to discover BTS fanfiction. Well, it’s looking like we’re not safe much longer.
I’m so glad Hollywood has not found the bts fics yet https://t.co/HeqoNtkICb
— nei⁷ 🎂 (@honeyjamnamjoon) March 6, 2024
The film will be released via Prime Video on May 2, 2024. Watch the trailer below.
