Tom Bateman Says Everyone on Set Was 'Fanning Over' “The Love Hypothesis” Book on Set
Tom Bateman Says Everyone on Set Was 'Fanning Over' “The Love Hypothesis” Book on Set
Lily BrownWed, July 1, 2026 at 1:06 PM UTC
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Tom Bateman at Obsessed Fest held at nya Studios on June 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaCredit: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty -
Tom Bateman and Lili Reinhart prioritized staying true to Ali Hazelwood’s bestselling novel during filming
Bateman admitted he hadn’t read the book before receiving the script but quickly fell in love with the story
The cast and crew aimed to honor fans by capturing the essence of the novel and its beloved characters
Tom Bateman says bringing The Love Hypothesis from page to screen was truly a labor of love.
During a fan event at Prime Video's first ever Obsessed Fest, the actor, 37, revealed that Ali Hazelwood’s bestselling novel became a constant presence on set for the upcoming adaptation. He also mentioned that both the cast and crew worked hard to stay true to the beloved romance.
“People were really fanning over it,” Bateman said. “The book was around set all the time.”
Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman attend Prime Video's inaugural Obsessed Fest event on June 27, 2026Credit: Vivien Killilea/Getty
The actor recalled that costar Lili Reinhart even made sure he had a copy while they were filming in Montreal.
“I remember Lil gave me the book on set, and we’d, like you, [be] reading bits of it before shooting the scene,” he admitted at the June 27 panel. “It was always front-and-center of what we were trying to do.”
Bateman said everyone involved in the adaptation understood how much the novel means to readers and wanted to honor that throughout production.
Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman in 'The Love Hypothesis'Credit: Philippe Bosse/Prim
“We weren’t trying to get away from it in any way. We were trying to do our very best to give everyone what they want out of this story,” he shared.
The Love Hypothesis centers on Olive Smith, a Ph.D. student who convinces notoriously intimidating professor Adam Carlsen to fake a relationship in an effort to help her best friend. What begins as a carefully orchestrated arrangement soon grows increasingly complicated as unexpected feelings develop, forcing the unlikely pair to question whether their chemistry is more than just an act.
Tom Bateman and Lili Reinhart in 'The Love Hypothesis'Credit: Philippe Bosse/Prime
Earlier in the conversation, Bateman admitted he hadn’t read Hazelwood’s novel before receiving the screenplay, but quickly found himself absorbed in the story.
“I got sent the script first. I had heard about the book, but I hadn't read it,” Bateman explained. “Like Lili, I wasn't entirely sure a romantic comedy was in my future. But I read it and just fell in love with the characters and the world. It felt so different and unexpected within the romantic comedy genre while still giving us all those romantic comedy elements we know and love.”
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Reinhart, 29, shared a similar experience, explaining that she read both the script and the novel before officially signing on.
“The script was brought to me. I hadn't read the book yet, but, as soon as I got the script, I read the script and then I went and read the book and then I felt convinced to do it," she said. "Then I was very quickly sold on the idea.”
The Riverdale alum also said the screenplay captured what she loves most about classic romantic comedies.
“I think it felt, as much as it could, like a really timeless romantic comedy,” Reinhart said. “I think that's what the script was able to feel like for me while still keeping the integrity of both characters and doing the book justice.”
Bateman agreed, acknowledging the pressure that comes with adapting a fan-favorite novel.
“It's really hard when you're adapting something for film because every single one of you who loves the book has your own idea of what these characters are gonna be like, what this world's gonna be like each moment of the story and you can only tell one,” he said.
Still, he said the entire team shared the same goal from the very beginning.
“Every single person involved with this had such a deep love for the book and for doing it justice for everyone that loves it, for the amazing characters in the world,” said Bateman. “The intention was always we wanna make this the best it could be. And who better to tell it to than a group of people who love it so much?”
The Love Hypothesis in theaters on Sept. 23. The 2021 novel is also available now, wherever books are sold.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
