‘The Love Hypothesis’ Star Lili Reinhart Advocates for a Lesbian Vampire Movie

Avatar photoRobert Milaković
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Lili Reinhart has been making waves this past week while promoting her new rom-com, but one casual remark during a radio interview has sparked more conversation than expected. The actress has revealed her interest in a very different type of project.

Reinhart stars in and serves as an executive producer for ‘The Love Hypothesis’, the Prime Video adaptation of Ali Hazelwood’s bestselling novel that originated as Star Wars fan fiction. The film, directed by Claire Scanlon and featuring Tom Bateman, premiered on September 23. It has elicited strong reactions from fans of the book, some of whom are disappointed about omitted scenes. Reinhart has defended the changes, explaining that condensing a 300-400 page book into 112 minutes required some sacrifices.

During her promotional tour, she spoke with Hits Radio, where the conversation took an intriguing turn. When asked about books she would like to see adapted for film, Reinhart expressed her desire to adapt a novella about lesbian vampires. She noted that there seems to be a hesitance in Hollywood to produce such a film and directly appealed to studio executives, questioning why it hasn’t been made in today’s climate. She emphasized that this is a project she is actively pursuing.

Although she didn’t specify the title of the book, fans quickly began speculating. Many believe she might be referring to ‘Carmilla’, the 1872 Gothic novella by Sheridan Le Fanu, which has seen numerous adaptations, including a web series in 2015 and a film in 2019. GO Magazine pointed out that ‘Carmilla’ is not the only lesbian vampire story available, leaving room for other possibilities.

The legacy of ‘Carmilla’ in film is notable. Hammer Film Productions’ Karnstein Trilogy, which loosely adapted the story, included ‘The Vampire Lovers’ in 1970, followed by ‘Lust for a Vampire’ and ‘Twins of Evil’ in 1971. Additionally, Dark Horse’s Berger Books imprint published the comic ‘Carmilla: The First Vampire’ in 2023.

Regardless of the source material, fans are enthusiastic about the idea. One YouTube commenter expressed a strong desire for the lesbian vampire movie to be made soon, and the clip has gained traction on X.

Reinhart’s influence extends beyond acting; she has also executive produced projects like ‘Chemical Hearts’, based on Krystal Sutherland’s novel ‘Our Chemical Hearts’, as well as ‘Look Both Ways’, ‘American Sweatshop’, and ‘Hal & Harper’. She received the Best Actress award at Series Mania for her role in ‘Hal & Harper’, which she also produced.

Her approach to adaptations is well-known. Reinhart has previously advocated for specific lines and moments from ‘The Love Hypothesis’ to be included after joining the project, based on her insights into what readers wanted. When she first got involved, she even posted a TikTok from a bookstore, expressing her search for a book that could be transformed into a compelling rom-com.

Currently, Reinhart is enjoying heightened visibility. The promotional tour for the rom-com, featuring outfits inspired by films like ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ and ‘Uptown Girls’, has kept her in the limelight. ‘The Love Hypothesis’ is part of Prime Video’s expanding collection of book adaptations, which includes titles like ‘Off Campus’, ‘Maxton Hall’, ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’, and ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’.

This success may serve as a compelling argument for her vision. Audiences have demonstrated a willingness to engage with book-based stories that have passionate fanbases, and vampires are experiencing a resurgence in fiction, particularly with queer interpretations. A dark, romantic vampire narrative would mark a significant departure from her rom-com roles, yet aligns with her preference for unique storytelling.

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