When college rivalries rekindle amidst the beauty of a destination wedding, sparks are bound to fly – not always in the romantic sense. “Anyone But You,” a new romantic comedy set for a December 22 release, takes this premise and runs with it, placing Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell at the heart of its intricate love web.
Old Rivals, New Pretense
Sweeney and Powell, known for their roles in HBO’s “Euphoria” and the blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick,” respectively, play Bea and Ben. College classmates who once briefly dated, their relationship soured before graduation. But destiny has its designs. Reuniting years after their college escapades, the two find themselves at a mutual friend’s wedding in Australia. With old flames and ex-partners in the mix, what do two mature adults do to save face? They pretend to be a couple, of course.
A Modern Shakespearean Spin
Drawing subtle parallels to Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Anyone But You” offers a contemporary take on love, hatred, and everything in between. In the middle of the romantic setting, the Australian coast, Ben remains skeptical, stating, “There’s no way we can convince anyone we actually like each other.” But Bea, ever the optimist, counters, “Trust me, we’re at a wedding, a million miles away from home. Who knows what could happen?”
![Anyone But You Teaser](https://www.buddytv.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/anyone-but-you-teaser-730x405.png)
Powell and Sweeney in Anyone But You | SONY PICTURES
Behind The Scenes
Directed by Will Gluck, known for his work on “Easy A,” the film also boasts a screenplay co-written by Ilana Wolpert. The ensemble cast includes rom-com stalwarts like Dermot Mulroney, as well as Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Darren Barnet, and Rachel Griffiths.
Related: 50 Best Romantic Gestures in Film of All-Time
In a quirky moment shared during CinemaCon 2023, Powell described Sydney’s character as a “nightmare,” with Sweeney retorting that Powell’s character was an “a——.” Yet, the chemistry between the two stars, both on and off the screen, has been palpable, sparking rumors and capturing audiences’ imaginations.
Teasing the Teaser
The first glimpse of the film came through a teaser trailer attached to the screenings of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” movie. Amplifying the buzz, the trailer, set to WizTheMc’s track “Death of Me,” plays with the classic rom-com trope – love, hate, and unpredictable circumstances.
“Anyone But You” is shaping up to be the perfect holiday cinematic treat. A combination of wit, romance, stellar performances, and sun-kissed Australian landscapes. Whether Bea and Ben’s faux relationship evolves into true love or if their rivalry intensifies remains to be seen. But one thing is certain – the journey promises to be one hilarious roller-coaster ride.
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