Is The Idea Of You Really Based On Harry Styles Fan Fiction? Inspiration Explained

Directed by Michael Showalter (Wet Hot American Summer), The Idea of You adapts Robinne Lee’s bestselling novel of the same name. However, since the book’s release, rumors have swirled about the story being based on Harry Styles fanfiction. The Amazon Prime Video rom-com, which dropped on the streamer on May 2, follows Solène Marchand (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old art gallery owner who takes her daughter Izzy (Ella Rubin) and her friends to Coachella. While there, the group has a meet-and-greet with August Moon, even though Izzy dubs the ultra-popular boy band “so seventh grade.”

Before formally meeting August Moon, Solène has a run-in with the band’s lead singer, 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), while looking for a bathroom. Intrigued by Solène’s down-to-earth nature, Hayes shows up at her Los Angeles-based art gallery. What follows is an unexpected whirlwind affair that attracts the ire of Hayes’ legions of fans.The Idea of You‘s age-gap romance pushes Solène to navigate a later-in-life coming-of-age moment — one that sees her grappling with her past, her ex-husband Dan (Reid Scott), and how she sees herself.

The Idea Of You Is Not Based On Harry Styles Fanfiction

When Lee’s novel first hit shelves, readers wondered if it was actually Harry Styles fanfiction. There’s no denying the parallels between The Idea of You‘s cast of characters — and, specifically, Hayes Campbell — and the former One Direction member-turned-Grammy-winning-solo-artist. The movie takes things a step further: Hayes boasts a very Styles-inspired collection of tattoos, leans into being a British pop icon, and even shows glimmers of wanting to be taken seriously by a music industry that often dismisses boy bands (and any music aimed at young women and girls).

While it’s not uncommon for movies to be based on fanfiction, The Idea of You is not based on any pre-existing fanfiction about the beloved singer. Lee has previously revealed that she was partly inspired by Harry Styles and his place in pop culture as a hugely popular ex-boy band member. However, The Idea of You is meant to focus on a middle-aged woman “reclaiming her sexuality… at the point that society traditionally writes [women] off” (via Vogue). So, while an age-gap romance with a celebrity is a popular fanfiction trope, the similarities are surface level.

How Harry Styles Inspired The Idea Of You

The Idea Of You Is More Concerned With Fame, Internet Culture & Coming of Age Than Harry Styles

The Idea of You may not be based on fanfiction but it was inspired by musician and Dunkirk actor Harry Styles. After Lee watched a video of Styles singing, she did some research and uncovered his history of reportedly dating older women. As someone who has dated younger men herself, Lee was inspired to use the age-gap romance trope. But The Idea of You film isn’t shy when it comes to adapting scenes that play out eerily similar to ones from Styles’ life, such as a yacht sequence that recalls Styles and Kendall Jenner’s 2017 outing.

Hayes Campbell is actually inspired by the male lead Lee had written in an earlier semi-autobiographical novel. Using this former lead as a template, Lee infused him with other celebrity influences in order to create a dream guy, who she describes as, “Prince Harry meets Harry Styles, plus a couple of ex-boyfriends, a little of her husband, and a dash of Eddie Redmayne.” So, while Styles may have sparked the author’s initial idea for Anne Hathaway’s rom-com, the commentary on Solène’s delayed coming-of-age stems from Lee’s previous work — not Harry Styles fanfiction.

What Nicholas Galitzine Has Said About The Idea Of You’s Harry Styles Inspiration

Fans Have Drawn Parallels Between Harry Styles & Hayes Campbell

Despite Lee’s previous comments, The Idea of You is still being framed as 2024’s Harry Styles romance movie. As a result, Nicholas Galitzine, who plays Hayes Campbell in the film, has been asked about the material’s supposed connection to Styles. In addition to the Harry Styles-inspired tattoos, Hayes shares other biographical details with the former One Direction singer. For starters, Hayes’ parents split up; the singer was selected to be famous at a young age; and he wants to shed his boy band persona to become a solo artist. Even Hayes Campbell’s fashion sense mirrors that of Harry Styles.

When asked about the Harry Styles of it all during an interview, Galitzine confirmed that, like Lee, he was partly inspired by the musician when approaching the character of Hayes Campbell. The Bottoms actor said that he worked with the rest of the film team to create a character that echoed Harry Styles, though he never wanted to let that inspiration become pure imitation. The Idea of You star noted that, “It was important to create someone who felt new and original and not a shoddy impersonation of this person” (via People).

The Idea of You (2024)

Director

Michael Showalter

Release Date

May 2, 2024

Writers

Robinne Lee , Michael Showalter , Jennifer Westfeldt

Cast

Anne Hathaway Nicholas Galitzine , Ella Rubin , Annie Mumolo , Reid Scott , Perry Mattfeld , Jordan Aaron Hall , Mathilda Gianopoulos

Runtime

115 Minutes

Sources: Vogue, People