'The Love Hypothesis' Movie: Tom Bateman to Star in Fanfic-Based Romance Rooted in Daisy Ridley Fandom

Tom Bateman finds himself in a grand coincidence as he has been cast in the upcoming film adaptation of The Love Hypothesis. The film is based on a romance novel written by Ali Hazelwood that originated as a viral Star Wars fanfiction. Fans of Ridley and Hazelwood's novel should find Bateman's casting ironic.

This is due to his wife portraying Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). Her character was part of what inspired the early stages of The Love Hypothesis. Considering this, the fandom's origins are working by itself to generate buzz about Bateman's personal ties to the story.

From Fanfiction to Bestseller

As mentioned, before becoming a New York Times bestseller, The Love Hypothesis started out as a fanfiction. The novel, first called Head Over Feet, was centered on the romantic tension surrounding 'Reylo' (Rey and Kylo Ren).

The Love Hypothesis puts Olive Smith, a PhD student, in centre stage with plans to date Dr. Adam Carlsen. However, she's only doing so to convince her best friend that she's moved on from an ex-boyfriend.

Hazelwood, who authored the novel, was discovered by a literary agent via Archive of Our Own. Head Over Feet was then reworked into a non-Star Wars story in 2021.

It gained traction with its dynamic between an awkward-genius heroine and her brooding love interest in an academic setting. It simply had archetypes that resonated with romance fans all too well.

The story explores dating tropes, STEM academia, and slow-burn romance, which piqued the interest of fanfiction communities. Hazelwood also has a flair to her writing that mixes humour and emotional vulnerability, helping the novel to stand out.

The Buzz Around Tom Bateman Playing Dr. Adam Carlsen

Amazon MGM Studios confirmed that Tom Bateman will star as Dr. Adam Carlsen via an X post on 18 July 2025. He'll be playing a grumpy, harsh, yet brilliant biology professor who tries to get his research funds unglued.

Bateman is known for his roles in Death on the Nile, Da Vinci's Demons, and Based on a True Story. His performances lean more into drama, and he's expected to bring this along with his own nuances to Dr. Carlsen. His strong romantic drama background will also add gravitas to his role's sharp-edged character.

For fans, the casting feels like it brings the fan-driven legacy of the novel full circle. His wife, along with Adam Driver's portrayal of Kylo Ren inspired The Love Hypothesis overall.

Netizens on X have reacted to his casting, calling this the funniest timeline to be in considering his marriage with Daisy Ridley.

The couple met during filming for Murder on the Orient Express in 2017. While Ridley isn't involved in the project at any capacity right now, the happenstance of his addition to the project has introduced many eyes to the novel.

What We Know About the Film So Far

The film has been in development since 2022, with fans staying hopeful that it stays true to the novel's charm. Flash forward to July 2025, and Amazon MGM Studios have announced Tom Bateman and Lili Reinhart's casting in the film.

While Tom Bateman is set to portray Dr. Adam Carlsen, Lili Reinhart is set to play as Olive Smith. She was announced to take the role on 17 July 2025.

The release date has yet to be announced. In addition, it hasn't been revealed whether The Love Hypothesis is to premiere in theatres or via a streaming platform.