MANILA, Philippines—Prepare to be captivated by Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, and the ensemble cast of “Anyone But You.” Before you dive into director Will Gluck’s latest romantic comedy, get an insider’s look at how the cast meticulously prepared for their roles.
In “Anyone But You,” Sweeney from “Euphoria” and Powell from “Top Gun: Maverick” take on the roles of romantic adversaries Bea and Ben. The duo must set aside their personal animosities to play the part of a head-over-heels couple, all in the name of maintaining peace at Bea’s sister’s wedding. The star-studded cast also includes Alexandra Shipp, Darren Barnet, Hadley Robinson, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths, Michelle Hurd, Bryan Brown, Charlee Fraser, Joe Davidson, and GaTa.
Work hard, play hard
“I didn’t realize how exposed I would be [in the movie],” reveals Powell, who portrays Ben. “Knowing it was a rom-com, I figured I should lay off the beer for a bit. However, I didn’t anticipate being this exposed, this frequently. I kept weights and resistance bands in my trailer, breaking them out on specific days to ensure everything looked good.”
Image Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
Joe Davidson, cast as the boyfriend vying for the attention of Ben’s desired woman, received the surprising news of Will Gluck’s meeting while traveling in Tasmania. “The email specified that Beau must be big and strong, and having just spent a few weeks in Tasmania traveling around, I wasn’t in peak physical condition at all,” Davidson reminisces. “I headed to Sydney, went into a Kmart, grabbed two dumbbells, and started a quick workout. I did sit-ups, and everyone was like, ‘What’s this guy doing?’ I completed a 30-minute Kmart workout, then walked into my audition.”
Embark on a linguistic journey
Image Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
Actor/rapper GaTa, known for his role in “Dave” and portraying Ben’s best friend Pete, attributes his newfound skills to director Will Gluck’s guidance in bringing Pete to life. “What drew me to the role of Pete was his vibrant spirit and cultural depth,” GaTa explains.
“Thanks to Will Gluck’s challenges and encouragement, I engaged in extensive preparation. I learned Mandarin and Arabic, and even mastered driving on the opposite side of the road in Australia. It was a rewarding experience to incorporate these newfound skills into my repertoire.”
Building On-Screen Bonds
Hadley Robinson, known for her roles in “Little Women” and “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,” takes on the character of Bea’s sister, Halle, in the film. It’s Halle’s impending wedding to Alexandra Shipp’s Claudia that forces Bea and Ben to reluctantly intersect once again. As Robinson prepared to embody Halle, she discovered in Shipp all the qualities that would resonate with her character.
“Alex made me smile every time I looked at her,” Robinson shares. “She brought incredible energy, always ready to dive in. Each day at pickup, she’d lean out of the car window and declare, ‘Let’s go, let’s do it!’ Halle and Claudia’s relationship is tender and unique, and our chemistry on set is palpable.”
Witness the magic of romantic comedies
The emerging stars of the cast found inspiration in the seasoned rom-com expertise of Dermot Mulroney and Rachel Griffiths, portraying Leo and Innie, Bea and Halle’s parents. In a heartening gesture, the cast convened to watch “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” a beloved ’90s romantic comedy featuring Mulroney and Julia Roberts, with Griffiths also playing a significant role.
Image Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
Reflecting on the experience, Powell reminisces, “After watching it as a cast, Dermot looked at me and said, ‘Take this job seriously and take every moment seriously because the beauty of being in a rom-com is, you represent love to people. Don’t take that lightly, because if you can represent love to people in movies, that’s the most beautiful thing you can do.’”
Taking the reins behind the scenes
As the executive producer, Sweeney didn’t just bring her acting skills to the table but also played a crucial role in assembling the right team for the film, including the director and her co-star. Speaking about working with Gluck, Sweeney expresses, “I was really, really excited to work on this project with him… He is so quirky in his own way. I love it.”
Regarding Powell, she admires, “Glen is handsome, charming, funny, talented, and thoughtful. He’s also an incredibly loyal friend and a true pro.”
“Anyone But You,” distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, the local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International, is set to hit cinemas on January 17. #AnyoneButYou