Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell starred in 2023’s romantic-comedy movie Anyone But You directed by Will Gluck from a screenplay co-written by Ilana Wolpert. Anyone But You was one of the most talked about movies in 2023 especially because of the chemistry the lead pair shared.
Upon its release, the movie which was filmed in Australia received mixed reviews from the critics and the audience. Sony Pictures released an extended version of the movie ahead of Valentine’s Day on 9th February 2024. It has recently been pointed out that the movie’s box office collection makes it the highest-grossing live-action adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play.
Sydney Sweeney starrer Anyone But You loosely based on William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing
One of the most talked about rom-com movies of 2023 Anyone But You starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell is reportedly loosely based on William Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing.
Collider reports that the movie has been a sleeper hit for Sony Pictures grossing $190 million worldwide. The reports further suggested that the movie has now earned the title of being the highest-grossing adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play. Much Ado About Nothing is set in Messina and revolves around two romantic pairs, which emerge when a group of soldiers arrive in the town.
The first pair; Claudio and Hero fall in love and plan to marry and the second pair; Beatrice and Benedick swear off marriage. The movie is based on the second pair as just like the play their friends throughout the play and movie play tricks to make the couple fall in love with each other. Interestingly the names of the characters in the movie are also named Bea & Ben giving a nod to Beatrice and Benedick.
According to US Weekly, there have been some references from the play noted in the movie apart from the names of the characters such as the quotes from the play, the setting along with the use of props.
Fans ‘surprised’ with Sydney Sweeney starrer leading the charts of Shakespeare’s adaptation
According to the reports, William Shakespeare’s works have been an inspiration for various projects that came out in the 1990s and early 2000s and many rom-com movies impressed the audience.
10 Things I Hate About You was adapted from The Taming of the Shrew and grossed over $53.5 million. 2006’s She’s the Man was adapted from Twelfth Night and grossed over $57 million where whereas 2021’s West Side Story which grossed over $76 million was adapted from Romeo and Juliet. 1996’s Romeo and Juliet was adapted from Romeo and Juliet and managed to gross over $147.6 million.
I had no idea this was a Shakespeare adaption
— Truly Pete (72%)👽 🔜 Some Rave Eventually (@AStateofPete) February 19, 2024
I’m sorry was I kept out of the loop… William Shakespeare adaption???
— Joe (@hzjoe03) February 19, 2024
Fans were quick in sharing their reaction to Anyone But You being the highest live-action adaptation of Shakespeare’s play as one of the users noted, ‘The highest grossing what?’, with another mentioning ‘I’m sorry was I kept out of the loop…William Shakespeare adaptation?’
Another user wrote, ‘It’s exactly what you could ask for in a typical rom-com entertainer.’ However, Anyone But You is not the first movie to adapt the said play as 1993’s Much Ado About Nothing starring Kenneth Branaugh and Emma Thompson was released and received a positive response from the audience and the critics. Branaugh not only adapted the play for the screen but also directed and starred in it.
shakespeare??? what???
— ras ali (@rasalistair) February 19, 2024
$190M that's really impressive👏👏
— Build it Merchants (@Builditm) February 19, 2024
In 2011, Joss Whedon also adapted the play but also directed, edited, and composed it for the screen. It starred Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, and more. It managed to gross $5.3 million.
Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell’s Anyone But You is playing in theatres and will be released digitally on February 20th.
