Make out sessions? For chemistry tests? Groundbreaking. And something Anne Hathaway is thrilled she doesn't have to deal with anymore.
The Oscar winner—who rose to fame for appearing in Princess Diaries, Ella Enchanted and The Devil Wears Prada in the 2000s—called out one of the "gross" practices she said she faced early in her career.
"Back in the 2000s—and this did happen to me—it was considered normal to ask an actor to make out with other actors to test for chemistry," the 41-year-old told V Magazine in an interview published April 22. "Which is actually the worst way to do it."
As Anne explained, "I was told, 'We have 10 guys coming today and you're cast. Aren't you excited to make out with all of them?' And I thought, 'Is there something wrong with me?' because I wasn't excited. I thought it sounded gross."
But as she was young, the Les Misérables actress was afraid of being labeled "difficult," and decided the easiest way to deal with it was to pretend she was excited and get it over with.
"It wasn't a power play," she noted, "no one was trying to be awful or hurt me. It was just a very different time and now we know better."
And now that Anne has more experience under her belt, it's easier for the 41-year-old to advocate for herself, especially on a film like The Idea of You, which she produced.
The film, based on Robinne Lee's book of the same name, stars Anne as Solène, a 40-year-old art gallery owner who forms a romance with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the 24-year-old lead singer of the boy band August Moon.
And when it came to chemistry reads for her and Nicholas, Anne didn't have to use kiss tests to know he'd be right for the role.
"I remember laughing when Nick walked in because he was so ridiculously perfect for the part," she said, "I just thought, 'He is it.'"
And what of the rumors that Hayes is based on Harry Styles? Anne claims there is no truth it.
"Everyone needs to chill," she told E! News in March. "Sorry, I probably shouldn't be that reactive about it. I just think no."
Even Nicholas helped shut down the rumors.
"It's become this thing in of itself," he explained to E! News. "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."
Before The Idea of You premieres on May 2, keep reading for which other novels you should add to your To Be Read list before checking out their on-screen adaptations.
The Idea of You
Based On: The 2017 novel of the same name by Robinne Lee
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Rubin, Reid Scott and Annie Mumolo
Premieres: May 2 on Prime Video
Why We're Excited: One of the most anticipated adaptations of 2024, the film follows 40-year-old single mom Soléne who happens to catch the eye of twenty-something British boyband sensation Hayes at Coachella. Cue a swoon worthy—and very steamy—love story. As if that wasn't enough to have us seated, the star-crossed lovers are played by none other than Hathaway and Galitzine.
Bridgerton Season 3
Based On: Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #4)
Starring: Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Luke Thompson, Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmel, Simone Ashley, Jonathan Bailey, Polly Walker, Julie Andrews and more
Premieres: Part 1 on May 16, Part 2 on June 13
Why We’re Excited: Dearest readers, it is, at last, the season of Polin. After years of teasing Penelope and Colin’s love story, the Netflix series skipped right to book four so fans can finally see everyone’s favorite wallflower and third brother realize they are meant to be. All it takes is Penelope deciding she must find a husband, Colin offering to be her guide and a whimsical orchestral arrangement of the biggest songs in pop.
It Ends With Us
Based On: Colleen Hoover's 2016 novel of the same name.
Starring: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj
Premieres: In theaters August 9
Why We're Excited: Two words: Blake Lively. Okay, two more words: Love triangle. Centered around a florist named Lily Bloom, the book is a riveting tale of love, strength and the complications of relationships.
Heartstopper Season 3
Based On: Heartstopper, Volume 3 by Alice Osman
Starring: Joe Locke, Kit Connor, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell and Tobie Donovan
Premieres: October 2024
Why We’re Excited: As season two ended with Charlie about to say three important words to Nick, the next installment picks up with their relationship growing and changing along with them. Prepare for more adorable doodles—a sweet nod to the graphic novels—but also heartfelt conversations about mental health, love and teenage growing pains.
Wicked
Based On: The Broadway play of the same name and Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Bowen Yang, and Keala Settle
Premieres: Part 1: November 27, 2024; Part 2: November 26, 2025
Why We’re Excited: Look no further than the cast list, for starters. Add in that it’s the iconic Broadway musical—based, of course, off the Wizard Of Oz prequel tome—split into two rousing parts and we are booked and busy for the next two Thanksgiving weekends.
Nightb--ch
Based On: the 2021 novel of the same name by Rachel Yoder
Starring: Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Ella Thomas, Mary Holland, and Zoe Chao
Premieres: December 6
Why We're Excited: Adams is a stay-at-home mom who thinks she’s turning into a dog. Need we say more? Well, the psychological comedy horror of it all deepens as her husband, often traveling for work, dismisses her fears leading her to turn to a group of fellow moms who are involved in both MLMs and something possibly more sinister.
The Perfect Couple
Based on: the 2018 best-selling novel of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Live Schreiber, Dakota Fanning, Eve Hewson, Billy Howle, Meghann Fahy, Ishann Khattar, Jack Reynor and Omar Eps.
Premieres: TBD
Why We’re Excited: Here’s your official invitation to a Nantucket wedding that some might just kill for. This six-episode murder mystery drama sees a lavish wedding weekend on the Massachusetts island take a turn after a dead body washes up on the beach the day of the ceremony—and everyone is suddenly a suspect. With an ensemble cast, Nicole Kidman and Meghann Fahy, a hurricane of drama is about to grace our screens.
Kay Scarpetta
Based On: Patricia Cornwell's mega-popular series of the same name that has 26 books in total
Starring: Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis
Premieres: TBD on Amazon Prime Video
Why We're Excited: If it's based on a book and Kidman stars in it, we will binge the s--t out of it. (See: Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and the fact that this is her second appearance on this list.) Add in that the Oscar winners will be playing crime-fighting sisters and it's already become our favorite new show of the year.