Lili Reinhart, best known for her role as Betty Cooper on the CW hit series Riverdale, is set to star in and produce Amazon MGM Studios’ adaptation of the wildly popular romance novel The Love Hypothesis, according to Deadline.
Reinhart will play Olive Smith, a biology PhD candidate who agrees to fake-date a grumpy yet handsome professor, Dr. Adam Carlsen—played by Tom Bateman—only to find that their staged romance starts turning into something real. The film will be directed by Claire Scanlon, best known for the Netflix romantic comedy Set It Up (2018), starring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell.
Reinhart confirmed the casting on Instagram, sharing her excitement with fans.
From Reylo Fanfic to Bestseller Phenomenon
Written by Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis was originally published by Berkley Books on September 14, 2021. However, the story began life in 2018 as Star Wars fan fiction titled Head Over Feet, centering on the popular “Reylo” pairing—Rey and Kylo Ren. For the novel’s official release, names and details were changed, though the male lead’s name, Adam Carlsen, is a nod to Adam Driver, who played Kylo Ren in the films.
The cover art even features characters inspired by Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver—adding an extra wink to its origins. And in a clever twist of fate, Carlsen will be portrayed by Tom Bateman—who is Daisy Ridley’s real-life husband.
Since its release, the book has become a New York Times Bestseller, cementing Hazelwood as a leading voice in the STEM-inspired romance niche. Reacting to the film news, Hazelwood said:
“Honestly, I still can’t believe this is happening. Elizabeth Cantillon, Claire Scanlon, and Lili Reinhart have all worked on projects I adore, and I’m beyond honored they’re bringing their talent to this adaptation. Books and films are very different, and I trust this brilliant team completely. I can’t wait to see what they create!”
Lili Reinhart’s Expanding Career
After rising to fame on Riverdale, Reinhart has transitioned into a thriving career as both actor and producer. Her upcoming projects include the mystery-thriller American Sweatshop, which premiered at the 2025 SXSW Festival, and the horror feature Forbidden Fruits, co-starring Lola Tung (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Victoria Pedretti (The Haunting of Hill House), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men: Apocalypse), Emma Chamberlain, and Gabrielle Union.
She previously produced and starred in the Netflix rom-com drama Look Both Ways, opposite Danny Ramirez (Captain America: Brave New World) and David Corenswet (Superman). Through her production company, Small Victory Productions, which signed an overall deal with Amazon MGM in 2021, Reinhart has focused on stories that champion diversity, inclusivity, and fresh voices for modern audiences.
The Love Hypothesis: A Box Office Sleeper Hit?
The young adult romance boom shows no signs of slowing. Netflix will release Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation in January 2026, and if marketed well, The Love Hypothesis could become the romantic comedy to solidify the genre’s resurgence in theaters.
With its Star Wars fanfic roots and strong cult following, this adaptation might even serve as a love letter to fans who were disappointed by the ending of The Rise of Skywalker. Much like Fifty Shades of Grey turned Twilight fan fiction into a billion-dollar juggernaut, The Love Hypothesis has already proven itself as a global hit in print—and could now become a breakout success on screen.
