British actor Tom Bateman has officially been cast as Dr. Adam Carlsen in the highly anticipated film adaptation of The Love Hypothesis, starring opposite Lili Reinhart (Riverdale, Chemical Hearts). The movie is based on the bestselling romance novel by Ali Hazelwood, which itself began as Star Wars fanfiction. But the real twist? Bateman is married to Daisy Ridley—the actress who played Rey, one half of the romantic pairing that originally inspired the novel.
Published in 2021, The Love Hypothesis follows Olive Smith, a third-year PhD student who, in an effort to convince her best friend that she’s over a former flame, kisses the first man she sees: Dr. Adam Carlsen, a notoriously grumpy, hyper-intelligent professor. To maintain the illusion, they agree to fake a relationship. But, of course, as is classic in the fake-dating trope, real feelings start to emerge.
The book quickly became a fan favorite for its mix of academic life, witty banter, swoon-worthy moments, and heartfelt depth. It hit The New York Times Bestseller list and launched Hazelwood's career as a go-to author for STEM-focused romance.
What makes this casting choice particularly special is the book’s unusual origin story. Before it was a published romance novel, The Love Hypothesis began as Reylo fanfiction—a story called Head Over Feet, posted on Archive of Our Own in 2018. The leads were Rey and Kylo Ren, played by Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Hazelwood eventually rewrote the story, gave the characters original names, and restructured the narrative for publication.
In her published version, Kylo Ren became Adam Carlsen (note the first name—possibly a nod to Adam Driver), and Rey became Olive Smith. Although all identifying Star Wars details were removed, fans recognized the inspiration immediately.
The real-life connection: Bateman and Ridley
Enter Tom Bateman. The British actor is best known for roles in Vanity Fair, Jekyll and Hyde, and Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express—which, incidentally, is where he met Daisy Ridley. The two began dating after filming in 2017 and were married in a private ceremony in 2023.
Now, in a surreal, art-imitating-life full-circle moment, Bateman is stepping into the role that was literally inspired by the man who fell in love with his now-wife on screen. While Ridley played Rey—the character who inspired Olive—Bateman is now portraying a version of Kylo Ren.
The cast and crew
Tom Bateman will star opposite Lili Reinhart, who’s not only playing Olive but also executive producing the film. Reinhart is best known for her role as Betty Cooper on Riverdale, but she’s also gained critical acclaim for Chemical Hearts (Amazon Prime) and her production company, Small Victory Productions.
Behind the scenes, the film is being directed by Claire Scanlon, whose rom-com Set It Up became a streaming favorite. The screenplay is by Sarah Rothschild (The Sleepover), and the project is being produced by MRC Film in association with Amazon MGM Studios.
Other producers include Elizabeth Cantillon (Persuasion), Ali Hazelwood herself, and Catherine Hagedorn, ensuring that the adaptation stays close to its romantic and nerdy roots.
The fan reaction
Fans across social media platforms—from BookTok to Twitter—were thrilled by the announcement. But it was the real-life Daisy Ridley connection that had people losing their minds. Comments ranged from “You can’t make this up” to “The Reylo multiverse is real.”
Others noted the irony that Tom Bateman is now playing a role originally inspired by Adam Driver’s character—meaning, in a way, Daisy Ridley’s real-life husband is now portraying a version of her fictional soulmate.
Filming for The Love Hypothesis began in Montreal in July 2025, and while no official release date has been announced, it's expected to premiere sometime in late 2026 on Amazon Prime Video.
Why this moment matters for Star Wars fans
The transition of The Love Hypothesis from niche fanfic to global bestseller to full-blown Hollywood production is a testament to how fandoms shape the future of media. Once dismissed, fanfiction is now a viable storytelling pipeline—launching careers, adapting fresh narratives, and creating meta moments like this one.
The casting of Tom Bateman serves as more than just a cute coincidence. It highlights how interconnected the entertainment world can be and how real-life relationships can loop back into the stories that started them.
As more authors emerge from fan communities, we may see more stories like this—where fandom, fiction, and film all collide. In this case, that intersection includes one of the most iconic science fiction franchises of all time (Star Wars), a romance novel turned viral hit, and a real-life couple now tied to both.
Tom Bateman stepping into the role of Adam Carlsen in The Love Hypothesis is more than just great casting. It’s a love story across layers: fiction and fact, past and present, fandom and film. With Lili Reinhart bringing Olive to life and a talented team behind the scenes, this movie is shaping up to be a rom-com worth watching.
And let’s be honest—if Daisy Ridley isn’t given a playful cameo somewhere in the background of this film, is it even meta enough?
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