Book To Screen
Tom Bateman Dishes on ‘The Love Hypothesis’ Adaptation: ‘It Felt Very Special’
Adam Carlsen speaks!
The Love Hypothesis was published in 2021, but the STEM romance immediately made author Ali Hazelwood a romance fan-favorite. Since then, Hazelwood has published multiple novels about women in science finding love, usually with tall, aloof men who are secretly obsessed with them. You can usually expect a Star Wars reference or two as well. It’s a formula that has worked well for Hazelwood and continues to delight her fan base.
In the midst of summer 2025, rumors started to circulate that The Love Hypothesis production was underway. We finally got word that not only is it true, but the movie also found its leads: Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman! Shortly after shooting wrapped, the latter opened up about bringing Hazelwood’s book to life.
When he realized how large and passionate the book’s fanbase was, Bateman thought it was “very cool” that The Love Hypothesis had amassed so much love. “You just feel that love,” he told People. “So you’re making something, you think, ‘My God, people are really, really excited for this…’ It felt very special.”
We’ve been chomping at the bit for more details about The Love Hypothesis movie ever since it was announced in 2022, so of course, we’ve been scouring the internet for more information. Keep reading for Swooon’s full breakdown of all the details about the adaptation.
Who has been cast in The Love Hypothesis?
So far, the cast list includes the Riverdale star as Olive and Bateman as Adam. Joining them is Adults‘ Rachel Marsh, who’s playing Olive’s best friend, Anh. The White Lotus‘ Nicholas Duvernay is Olive’s ex, Jeremy. Her roomie, Malcolm, is Companion‘s Jaboukie Young-White. Daredevil: Born Again‘s Arty Froushan is Tom, Adam’s friend and a Harvard professor.
View this post on Instagram
Good news, book fans! Hazelwood is on board with all of the actors portraying her characters. “Oh my God, yeah,” she said when asked if she approves of the cast. “They’re amazing.”
What is The Love Hypothesis about?
The Love Hypothesis is about a PhD student, Olive, who enters into a fake dating situationship with Adam Carlsen, a professor at Stanford. Olive needs to convince her bestie that she’s over her ex, and Adam wants the Stanford faculty to believe that he’s not a flight risk. (He needs funding for a project, which will only come if he appears committed to the university. Having a girlfriend makes him seem more settled.)
As with all fake dating scenarios, the more time these two spend together, the deeper the connection becomes, and the harder it is for Olive to tell what’s for show and what’s genuine love brewing between them.
Don’t go into the movie expecting it to be entirely book-accurate, however. When Hazelwood shared her thoughts about the adaptation for the first time, she confirmed it wouldn’t be exactly the same. “Of course, it’s going to be different from the book,” the author said during a book event. “It’s a completely different medium, but it’s something that at some point passed through my head. It’s amazing.”
Is The Love Hypothesis movie filming?
After keeping fans up to date during filming this summer, Reinhart revealed that filming wrapped via a TikTok video, which was posted on September 1. In the clip, the actress and Bateman reenact Jim and Michael’s goodbye scene from The Office. Bateman shows off his acting chops, tearing up while he lip-syncs his lines.
@lilireinhart and that’s a wrap on #TheLoveHypothesis ♬ original sound – .
Who is making The Love Hypothesis movie?
Amazon MGM Studios and MRC is developing the film. Reinhart is set to perform double duty as an executive producer. Hazelwood herself is an executive producer, too, along with Catherine Hagedorn. Elizabeth Cantillon (Charlie’s Angels) is producing. Director Claire Scanlon (Set It Up) is also on board, and she’ll be bringing Sarah Rothschild’s (The Sleepover) script to life.
“Honestly, I still can’t believe this is happening?” Hazelwood said. “Elizabeth Cantillon, Claire Scanlon, and Lili Reinhart have all created, produced, or starred in works that I’m absolutely feral about, and I am beyond honored that they’re choosing to bring their talent to this project. Books and films are very different media, and I have complete trust in this brilliant team. I cannot wait to see the final product they’ll come up with. I hope they have as much fun filming as I had while writing the book.”
When will The Love Hypothesis movie be released?
For now, the release date for The Love Hypothesis movie is TBD. We’re keeping our eyes peeled for more news!
Have you read The Love Hypothesis? Which Ali Hazelwood book is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
