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via Imago

via Imago

Released in 2017, The Idea of You became a sensational hit much later in the pandemic. But someone who foresaw its success right in the beginning was Gabrielle Union. She felt a spark after reading the story. Now, almost six years later, the novel is being adapted into a movie. Not surprisingly, Union shook hands with the author, who is also her friend. Union is part of the film’s production team. During the New York City premiere of the film, Union recalls her experience of reading the script for the first time.

“We got to read every draft and by the final manuscript that was you know about to be turned in to her editor I read it and I broke down and I was like oh my gosh,” Union said in an interview with ET.

She further spoke about her relationship with the author. The actress shared that they first met on the set of Deliver Us From Eva which was released in 2003. The two played the roles of sisters, and since then, they have remained close. Union added, “We met on the Deliver US from Eva…about 2o years ago and we played sisters and we’ve been like sisters ever since.”

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Thanks to their friendship, Union had the opportunity to read the final script before its launch. As she described it, this was when she had the idea to produce the movie. Union extended the offer even before the movie was released for the public.

What influenced Gabrielle Union to produce the film

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During the interview, the mother of four said, “I got to read a early manuscript and fell in love.”

The story focuses on the sizzling romance between Hathaway’s character, a divorced mom, and the character of a 20-year-old British boy band member played by Nicholas Galitzine. Union shared that the book reflects her and the author’s love for boy bands. 

However, another aspect that intrigued her was the age difference between the two characters, reminiscent of the age gap between her and the Miami Heat champion. 

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The ‘Bring It On’ actress revealed that the story resonated with her marriage to Dwyane Wade. And naturally, she offered him the opportunity to read the book. “I slid it to my husband and he loved it, but for different reasons and I was like this is the movie,” Union added. 

Furthermore, she expressed her excitement about having her favorite actress Hathaway in the cast. The two were seen posing alongside each other at the screening. The movie will be available on OTT platforms starting May 2. Are you excited?