What do you get when you mix ‘Star Wars’ Rey and Kylo fan fiction, a best-selling romance novel, a former ‘Riverdale’ star, and ‘Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley’s real-life husband? Nope, not the start of a really niche pub quiz. This is the actual casting news behind ‘The Love Hypothesis’ movie.

If you don’t know what I am talking about, then don’t worry, it’ll all make sense in the next few minutes. I promise.

So, here’s the thing. Ali Hazelwood, a renowned novelist, wrote a romantic-comedy novel called, and you guessed it, ‘The Love Hypothesis’. It is about a third-year PhD candidate (Olive Smith) and a young professor (Adam Carlsen) who agree to fake date each other. Until Olive’s best friend is convinced she is not single and definitely not in love with her best friend’s crush. If you’re a rom-com fan like me, I am sure this plot is calling for you. The book instantly became a fan favourite, and now they are converting it into a film. Now let’s talk about why everybody (mostly me) is freaking out over the casting.

Basically, Hazelwood’s ‘The Love Hypothesis’ didn’t start as a story dedicated to the genre (rom-com). It was originally fan fiction. Yes, Hazelwood, just like most of us, was fangirling (more like geeking) over ‘Star Wars’. I mean, who wouldn’t? And she was absolutely obsessed with Rey and Kylo Ren’s relationship in the movie. And she wanted to write a cute romantic story filled with some comic scenes here and there.

I am sure now you have some idea where this is leading to. If not? Here’s more. Recently, the announcement for the book’s adaptation came through. And ‘Riverdale’ star Lili Reinhart was announced to play Olive. But the real twist that no one saw coming (except maybe Tumblr circa 2016) was the casting of Tom Bateman as Adam Carlsen. Tom Bateman is the real-life husband of Daisy Ridley. Why is this a big deal? Because Daisy Ridley played Rey in ‘Star Wars’. Yes, the same Rey who was the inspiration behind Olive’s character. Honestly, you couldn’t write this. Except someone literally did.

Hazelwood’s ‘Star Wars’ fan fiction was posted online under the title ‘Head Over Feet’, with the OG couple. It got picked up by a publisher. The lightsabers were swapped for lab coats, but the core dynamic? Still there. Olive’s socially awkward brilliance? Peak Rey. Adam’s emotionally repressed academia? Classic Kylo. So, yes, ‘The Love Hypothesis’ has deep nerd roots, and I mean that in the most affectionate way possible.

Now to Tom Bateman.

You might know him from ‘Death on the Nile’, ‘Behind Her Eyes’, or ‘Vanity Fair’. He’s got serious screen presence, brooding, charming, and effortlessly intense. Basically, he was built to play Professor Adam Carlsen. And when you factor in the fact that he’s married to Daisy Ridley? That casting choice hits on so many levels.

Fans online are losing it, naturally. One person wrote, “He’s married to Daisy Ridley. OMG full circle moment.” Another declared it “the best uno reverse card in casting history.” Someone else chimed in with, “Not Adam but Rey’s husband playing Adam perfection.” Honestly? Fair enough.

And let’s not forget Lili Reinhart, who’s not only starring as Olive but producing the film too. She’s been vocal about wanting to do justice to this story, and between her casting and this cosmic Bateman-Ridley twist, it’s safe to say the fans are being fed.

Even if you haven’t read the book, or don’t know your Adam Carlsen from your Adam Driver, there is still something for you in store. If you’re into rom-coms, emotionally complex science nerds, or geek out over fan theories that somehow become real, ‘The Love Hypothesis’ deserves a spot on your radar.

Why? Because this casting is chaotic in the best way. A character inspired by Daisy Ridley’s Rey now played opposite her real-life husband? That’s fan fiction logic turned cinematic reality. It’s unhinged in the most deliciously meta way, and it’s got the internet in a chokehold.

So yeah, grab your popcorn, fire up the group chat, and get ready to spiral. This one’s for book lovers, fandom kids, and anyone who lives for a full-circle moment. You couldn’t script even if you tried.

– Ends