Reylo Fanfic Becomes Bestseller, Casts ‘Riverdale’ Star for Amazon MGM Film Adaptation

Lili Reinhart’s New Film Project

Lili Reinhart, famous for her role as Betty Cooper on the popular CW series Riverdale, is taking a big step in her career. She has signed on to star and produce an adaptation of the best-selling romance novel The Love Hypothesis for Amazon MGM Studios. The upcoming film promises to blend romance with a touch of academic life, a theme that fans of the book will surely appreciate.

About The Love Hypothesis

In this film, Lili Reinhart will portray Olive Smith, a PhD candidate in biology. Olive finds herself in a fake relationship with her tough yet charming professor, Dr. Adam Carlsen, who will be played by Tom Bateman. As the plot unfolds, what begins as a pretended relationship develops into something more genuine. This adaptation looks like it will capture all the heartwarming and humorous moments that made the book a favorite.

Behind the Cameras

The film will be directed by Claire Scanlon, known for her work on the 2018 Netflix romantic comedy Set It Up. Fans of romantic comedies can expect a charming and entertaining film, especially with a talented cast and crew on board. Reinhart announced her involvement with The Love Hypothesis through an Instagram post, generating excitement among her followers.

The Book’s Popularity

The Love Hypothesis was penned by Ali Hazelwood and published by Berkley Books on September 14, 2021. Interestingly, the book originated as Star Wars fan fiction titled Head over Feet in 2018, featuring characters inspired by Rey and Kylo Ren. Although the book underwent title and character changes before its official release, Adam Carlsen’s character name still pays homage to Adam Driver, who played Kylo Ren in the films. The book’s cover art also features characters resembling Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver, further connecting it to the Star Wars franchise.

This romantic tale turned out to be an instant success, landing on the New York Times Best Seller list. It marked a significant milestone in Hazelwood’s career and established her as a prominent voice in romance writing, particularly in STEM-related settings.

A Unique Casting Twist

In an interesting twist of casting, Adam Carlsen will be played by Tom Bateman, who is also Daisy Ridley’s real-life husband. This connection adds another layer of intrigue and excitement to the film. Fans of the book and the genre are likely to enjoy the chemistry that this pairing could bring to the screen.

Lili’s Growing Career

Since her breakout role in Riverdale, Lili Reinhart has successfully transitioned into a multifaceted career as both an actor and producer. This year, she also starred in the mystery thriller American Sweatshop, which premiered at the 2025 South by Southwest festival. Additionally, she is set to appear in the horror film Forbidden Fruits, which features a notable cast, including Lola Tung and Gabrielle Union.

Previous Work

Reinhart has previously made headlines for producing and starring in Look Both Ways, a unique romantic comedy-drama directed by Wanuri Kahiu. The film explored two parallel timelines based on the results of a pregnancy test, showcasing Reinhart’s versatility and depth as an actress. In this project, she shared the screen with Danny Ramirez and David Corenswet, further solidifying her standing in Hollywood.

Commitment to Diversity

The Love Hypothesis aligns perfectly with Reinhart’s production company, Small Victory Productions. The company signed an overall deal with Amazon MGM in 2021, focusing on creating original content and adaptations that celebrate diversity and inclusivity. They aim to support new voices to resonate with a modern young adult audience.

With such a compelling storyline and a talented cast, The Love Hypothesis is shaping up to be an exciting addition to Lili Reinhart’s impressive roster of projects. Fans can’t wait to see how this beloved novel will be brought to life on screen!