Gabrielle Union says her May-December marriage to retired NBA star Dwyane Wade inspired her to produce the rom-com film “The Idea of You,” starring Anne Hathaway.
The Idea of You is based on Robinne Lee’s 2017 novel about a divorced mom, Solene, who is in love with a younger pop star.
Union, 51, said that she saw some similarities between the movie and her own marriage to a younger man.
“Being inspired by Robinne’s book and knowing that Solene’s story was a very specific story. I was like ‘I want in.’ I live this! I’ve got a younger man with a big life,” Union said.
One scene in particular reminded her of Wade, 42. A moment when Solene goes on vacation with a younger group of friends.
“She comes with her things because she’s worried about sun protection and all the sorts,” Union said. “I love it because it reminds me of when I vacation with some of my husband’s friends. It’s like, ‘Oh so no one’s heard of [the group] Jefferson Airplane?’”
Anne Hathaway, who plays Solene in the film, also called The Idea of You both a “rom-com” and “a work of art” during a promo in New York City.
“Those two things are not mutually exclusive. The amount of care and craft that was put into this movie was as high-level as any film I’ve ever worked on,” said Hathaway, who also served as a producer on the film.
Union explored a similar storyline in her Netflix film The Perfect Find last year.
In the film, Union played an older executive, Jenna, who eagerly beds her boss’s son, Eric (Keith Powers).
“I’ve been Jenna time and time and time again in my adult life, a woman hitting rock bottom and having to find her way back to herself, with her soul and scruples intact,” Union said at the time. “I’ve also dated younger guys and experienced all the good, bad, ugly and indifferent that comes with that.”
Watch “The Idea of You” trailer below.
