Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine star in 'The Idea of You' first look

See Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine in seductive first look at The Idea of You

The May-December romance sparked by a Coachella meet-cute was partially inspired by Harry Styles.

Published on March 6, 2024 09:00AM EST

Cue up your favorite Harry Styles song and put on your best One Direction merch because the official first look at The Idea of You is finally here — and Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine deliver one seductive duet.

EW has the exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming romance with sultry photos (below) from the film based on the novel that was partially inspired by the "As It Was" singer and Grammy winner. Directed by Michael Showalter with a script by Showalter and Jennifer Westfeldt, The Idea of You centers on Solène (Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mom who embarks on a second chance at love after an unlikely meet-cute at Coachella with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Galitzine), the lead singer of August Moon a.k.a. the hottest boy band on the planet.

The Idea of You Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway — Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway in 'The Idea of You'.
Alisha Wetherill/Prime Video

The Idea of You Nicholas Galitzine (center) — Nicholas Galitzine (center) in 'The Idea of You'.
Alisha Wetherill/Prime Video

When Solène's ex-husband (Reid Scott) suddenly cancels on taking their teen daughter (Ella Rubin) to the Southern California music festival, she steps up to chaperone and accidentally runs into Hayes. While sparks immediately fly, Solène is at first wary of starting anything with not only a much younger guy, but also one who is constantly followed around by paparazzi and screaming fans. She ultimately leans in and enjoys a secret whirlwind romance with Hayes, but when their relationship gets exposed, the fantasy comes crashing down and Solène is forced to face the reality that not all love stories get happy endings. Can Solène and Hayes defy the odds despite all the obstacles working against them?

Author Robinne Lee was first inspired to write her smash hit debut novel The Idea of You in 2017 after she "was up late surfing music videos on YouTube" and "came across the face of a boy I’d never seen in a band I’d never paid attention to ... It was like art ... [And] he often dated older women, and so the seed was planted." As Lee researched more about One Direction, she used her findings combined with a few other real men including Prince Harry, Eddie Redmayne, some of her exes, and her husband to make up the fictional character of Hayes.

The Idea of You Ella Rubin and Anne Hathaway — Ella Rubin and Anne Hathaway in 'The Idea of You'.
Alisha Wetherill/Prime Video

"This was never supposed to be a book about Harry Styles," Lee previously told Vogue. "It was supposed to be a story about a woman approaching 40 and reclaiming her sexuality and rediscovering herself, just at the point that society traditionally writes women off as desirable and viable and whole."

In addition to Hathaway, Galitzine, Scott, and Rubin, the film also stars Annie Mumolo, Nina Bloomgarden, Raymond Cham, Mathilda Gianopoulos, Jordan Aaron Hall, Chandler Lovelle, Cheech Manohar, Perry Mattfeld, and Meg Millidge.

The Idea of You premieres May 2 on Prime Video and has its world premiere at SXSW this month. Check out more of EW's exclusive first-look photos below.