The film adaptation of Ali Hazelwood's bestselling novel The Love Hypothesis is officially in motion and fans have proof. On Instagram, just thirteen hours ago, actress Lili Reinhart posted a behind-the-scenes photo that confirms what many suspected: filming has begun.
In the photo, Lili Reinhart is dressed in a white lab coat, reading the novel on set. The background is unmistakably a laboratory, a direct nod to the academic science setting of the book. It's a subtle but deliberate teaser, and it's already doing what it was meant to: ignite a new wave of anticipation among readers and rom-com fans alike.
the lead
lili reinhart as olive smith
The bestselling novel by Ali Hazelwood is officially getting the rom-com treatment, with Lili Reinhart widely recognized for her role on Riverdale leading the charge as Olive Smith, the awkward, brilliant PhD student who agrees to fake-date a hotshot professor.
Ali Hazelwood's novel, originally published in 2021, follows Olive Smith, a third-year biology PhD student who finds herself in a fake relationship with Dr. Adam Carlsen—a young, famously critical professor with a reputation for being unapproachable.
what is the love hypothesis about?
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood | GoodreadsIt was a breakout hit. The Love Hypothesis was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Favorite Romance in 2021, spent ten months on The New York Times bestseller list, and has been translated into over 40 languages. Not bad for a story that started as Star Wars fanfic.
Who's behind the adaptation?
The film is a collaboration between Amazon MGM Studios and MRC, with direction from Claire Scanlon, known for Netflix's Set It Up. The screenplay is written by Sarah Rothschild (The Sleepover).
the dream team
AKA, people who know exactly how to make you laugh, cry, and rewatch at 1 a.m. Elizabeth Cantillon and Lili Reinhart are producing, and author Ali Hazelwood herself is attached as an executive producer.
Elizabeth Cantillon, Claire Scanlon, and Lili Reinhart have all created, produced, or starred in works that I'm absolutely feral about.
We do have an adam carlsen—and no, it’s not david corenswet
Tom bateman as Adam Carlsen
Tom Bateman has officially been cast as Dr. Adam Carlsen. The British actor—best known for starring in Kenneth Branagh’s Agatha Christie films and Peacock’s Based on a True Story—has the brooding intensity and sharp jawline to back it up.
Still, I’ll admit it: my fake-dating heart wanted David Corenswet. But alas, Bateman it is—and with his resume and real-life marriage to Daisy Ridley (yes, that Rey), it almost feels cosmically correct. After all, The Love Hypothesis did start as Reylo fanfiction.
final thoughts? we're already in line
Between Lili Reinhart's casting, the dream production team, and a fan base that's been begging for this movie since the book dropped, The Love Hypothesis is shaping up to be the rom-com event of the year. And in a world where we could all use more fake-dating scientists and late-night lab flirtations, it might just arrive at the perfect time.
