Gabrielle Union Reveals How Marriage to Dwyane Wade Inspired Her to Adapt “The Idea of You”: 'I've Got a Younger Man With a Big Life'
The actress and producer detailed her inspirations during an advanced screening and Q&A with Anne Hathaway on Sunday
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Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade attend the 96th Annual Academy Awards in March 2024Gabrielle Union is opening up about how her marriage to Dwyane Wade played a role in her experience producing The Idea of You.
During an April 28 advanced screening and conversation on the film — which is based on Robinne Lee's 2017 novel about a divorced mom in a whirlwind romance with a younger pop star — Union said that she saw some overlap between the movie and her own marriage to Dwyane Wade.
"Oh please. I hope so," Union, 51, responded when asked if she foresees a rom-com resurgence. "Being inspired by Robinne's book and knowing that [main character] 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."
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Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade attend the Hall Of Fame Induction Celebration for Dwyane Wade at Chateau Marmont's Bar Marmont on August 06, 2023Related: Anne Hathaway Didn't Understand Nicholas Galitzine's Frosted Tips When She First Met Him
One scene in particular reminded Union of Wade, 42: a moment when the character of Solène Marchand goes on vacation with a younger group.
"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 Jefferson Airplane?'"
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Anne Hathaway, who plays the lead character in the film opposite Nicholas Galitzine's Hayes Campbell, also called The Idea of You both a "rom-com" and "a work of art" during the discussion at the 92nd Street Y 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.
"I do think that art begets art, so I'm excited to see art that happens because audiences and artists and the artists in the audiences have seen this film and connected and it makes them want to tell their own kind of story. And they'll expand the range."
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Anne Hathaway and Gabrielle Union attend "The Idea Of You" World Premiere in March 2024Related: Anne Hathaway Says Rom-Com The Idea of You Has Nothing to Do with Harry Styles
While Wade may be a few years younger than Union, as she mentioned at the recent film screening, their kids are already getting up there, too. Just this past week, Wade and Union spent some time with their 5-year-old daughter Kaavia James during a trip to Santa Barbara, Calif.
On Instagram, Wade shared highlights from the "overnight family trip to Santa Barbara for a little fun and a lot of love ❤️," including some photos of date nights, bouncy houses and more family fun.
The NBA star also shared a family update that same day, posting a photo dump that included glimpses of Kaavia, Union and his older daughter Zaya Wade before her prom.
The Idea of You will premiere May 2 on Prime Video.
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