‘The worst way to do it’: Anne Hathaway opens up about ‘gross’ chemistry tests for movie casting in the 2000s

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Idea of You' star Anne Hathaway is spearheading the effort to make the casting process a safer environment, while she recalled having to make out with multiple men during chemistry tests in the early 2000s.

The 'Devil Wears Prada' actress—who sported an edgy androgynous style for V Magazine's V148 Summer 2024 issue— described the earlier chemistry tests as "gross".

Anne Hathaway remembers making out with 10 men during 'gross' chemistry tests

In a recent interview with V Magazine, 'Idea of You' star and producer Anne Hathaway talked about how she revamped the traditional chemistry tests, utilizing her standing and expertise in the industry to make sure no one ever has to go through the same "gross" experience she had.

Hathaway stated that "back in the 2000s," when she first started her career, it was "normal" for an actor to have to "make out" with multiple actors "to test for chemistry" before casting decisions were made.

"Back in the 2000s — and this did happen to me — it was considered normal to ask an actor to make out with other actors to test for chemistry, which is actually the worst way to do it,” Hathaway, 41, said.

"I was told, ‘We have 10 guys coming today and you’re cast. Aren’t you excited to make out with all of them?’" she recalled.

"And I thought, ‘Is there something wrong with me?’ because I wasn’t excited. I thought it sounded gross."

Hathaway admitted that she was in the early phases of her career and that she was terrified of being categorized as "difficult." Hence, she chose to face the fear and act as though she was looking forward to the opportunity.

She went on, "So I just pretended I was excited and got on with it."

The 'Princess Diaries' star added it was merely the way things were done in those days, without specifically mentioning any films.

She asserted, "It wasn't a power play. No one was trying to be awful or hurt me. It was just a very difficult time and now we know better."

Anne Hathaway revamps casting process for 'The Idea of You'

Anne Hathaway claimed she can better advocate for herself now that she has more experience and is not required to go through that "gross" casting process.

After a few decades, Hathaway is both producing and starring in her new movie, 'The Idea of You,' which means she had a voice in the casting procedure.

Hathaway plays a 40-year-old single mother in the movie who develops feelings for a much younger male musician. The 'Devil Wears Prada' actress claimed she didn't have to kiss several guys in their 20s to discover her ideal co-star.

The actors were set up to "choose a song that they felt their character would love, that they would put on to get [Hathaway's] character to dance, and then [they'd] do a short little improv."

"I was sitting in a chair like we had come in from dinner or a walk or something, we pressed play, and we just started dancing together," Hathaway added.

Eventually, Nicholas Galitzine was cast after he selected an Alabama Shakes song that got Hathaway up and dancing right away.

Hathaway remarked, "We had met a number of young men already, but I remember laughing when Nick walked in because he was so ridiculously perfect for the part. I just thought, he is it."

Hathaway plays Solene, a 40-year-old owner of an art gallery in the romantic film. Solene develops romantic feelings for the 24-year-old lead singer of the boy band August Moon, Hayes Campbell.

Following the release of the teaser for the film in March, which is based on the critically acclaimed novel by Robinne Lee, the movie has generated conversations because of its unique storyline, per Page Six.