Colleen Hoover Fans’ Intensity Addressed By Regretting You Cast & Director

Colleen Hoover‘s popularity is soaring, and the team behind the movie Regretting You have some thoughts on why. While an earlier adaptation of her novel Confess didn’t gain much traction, she became incredibly well-known with the 2024 film It Ends With Us. Though the movie received mixed reviews, it was a huge commercial success, earning over $351 million at the box office.

“Regretting You” is the third movie based on a novel by Harlan Coben. It centers around a devastating car accident that exposes a web of infidelity, leaving behind grieving families and a confused young girl. The film boasts a talented cast, including Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace, Dave Franco, Mason Thames, Willa Fitzgerald, and Scott Eastwood.

To celebrate the release of the film, Joe Deckelmeier spoke with Grace, Williams, Franco, Thames, Boone, and Sam Morelos for ScreenRant about Regretting You. They discussed why Colleen Hoover’s books and their movie adaptations often create such strong feelings in readers and viewers. Boone explained he was drawn to direct the film for the same reason he was excited about its release: its focus on relationships—both romantic and familial—and themes of love, death, and loss.

As a movie lover, I’ve noticed a real lack of variety in theaters lately. It feels like so many films just aren’t being made for a younger audience anymore. Honestly, Colleen Hoover’s success is a huge boost to filmmakers like me who want to bring those kinds of stories – the ones with great music, real characters, and genuine emotion – back to the big screen. I’m really craving that ’90s experience where you could go to the movies every weekend and see five totally different films. Now, there just aren’t enough new releases to do that. There’s plenty of content on streaming, a lot of which would have been in theaters years ago, but any chance we get to bring a character-driven story to the cinema? It’s absolutely worth pursuing.

Thames agreed with Boone that both Regretting You and Colleen Hoover’s other books create a strong connection with readers, allowing them to relate to the characters and story. He also appreciated how realistically the relationships, particularly between Grace and Clara and Morgan and Williams, were developed, believing many people would find the characters relatable and see themselves reflected in the story.

I think families watching my movie together could have some good conversations afterward. It especially might resonate with anyone experiencing young love, and hopefully, people can learn something about their own relationships from it.

Morelos explained that the power of Hoover’s work comes from its honesty and willingness to be bold, which is often what provokes such strong responses. He believes that if something only gets a lukewarm reaction, it’s probably not very good.

Sam Morelos believes Colleen Hoover’s work resonates because she fearlessly shares her authentic self. It’s a bold approach – a willingness to say, “This is my story, and I’m sharing it,” regardless of what others might think. This honesty is what draws people to her work and makes it so compelling. It feels incredibly genuine and relatable.

I recently saw Regretting You, and honestly, it really surprised me. It manages to balance some incredibly heavy themes – grief, love, and family – with moments that are genuinely funny. A lot of that humor comes from the performance of Williams, who really shines. It reminded me a lot of those classic Cameron Crowe films – think something along the lines of his earlier work. It feels like a movie that tries to offer something for everyone, and I think it largely succeeds.

Dave Franco said Allison Janney consistently looked for humor, even in the more serious scenes. He felt this made the performance feel authentic, because finding moments of levity is often how people cope with difficult situations—you experience a full range of emotions, from laughter to tears. He compared the overall feel to films by Cameron Crowe, like Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous, and Say Anything, saying it offers something for every viewer.

Mckenna Grace Found It “Nerve-Wracking” To Play Clara

ScreenRant praised the film as deeply moving and highlighted your wonderful portrayal of Clara. They asked about the biggest difficulty in playing the character, considering fans already had expectations based on previous interpretations.

It’s always a bit stressful taking on a character that fans already have a strong idea of, especially when it’s based on a beloved book. People build up this image in their heads, and you want to honor that. You can never quite meet everyone’s expectations, so I really focused on the source material. I read the book and script countless times and worked closely with the director, suggesting lines and moments directly from the book to stay true to the character. Ultimately, I just did my best to bring the character to life in a way that would satisfy the fans – and that I would enjoy as a fan myself. Now, I’m just hoping people like what I’ve done!

ScreenRant asked about the close relationship between my character and Allison Williams, who plays Morgan. They wanted to know if there was a particular scene with a lot of emotional weight between us – a mother-daughter moment that really stayed with me.

Working with Mckenna Grace was always a blast, but the scene where our characters finally had a serious conversation was a bit challenging. I had a lot of questions as my character, Clara, but we were limited by time, so I couldn’t ask everything I wanted to. I really had to focus on getting across what was on the page. Still, it was a great scene – a big moment where everything came to a head. It was a tough day of filming because we wanted to make sure we captured everything, but overall, it was always fun working with her.

ScreenRant asked about the difficulties of portraying Clara’s complex emotions – she’s experiencing grief, heartbreak, and new love simultaneously. They wanted to know what was the hardest part of showing that inner conflict.

I really went for it with this role! I’m usually worried about overacting, so I tend to hold back, but this time I just decided to fully embrace all the emotions and really let them show.

ScreenRant asked about the natural connection between us and Allison, and how we built that chemistry while filming.

It felt incredibly authentic. We were constantly arguing and raising our voices. I remember thinking, ‘Allison, please don’t! I care about him!’ And she’d respond with, ‘You’re ruining your future!’ It was a never-ending cycle of conflict.
Mason Thames: I would overhear this. It was crazy. Me and Dave in the back.
I really love working with Allison! It was a very comfortable experience. We spent a lot of time chatting and relaxing together on set, especially in the green room. It was genuinely fun bringing our characters – with all their arguments and loving moments as mother and daughter – to life. Everything felt very natural and easy.

Miller Is “The Closest” Character To Himself Mason Thames Has Ever Played

ScreenRant commented on the natural connection between the characters Clara and Miller, and how the story resonated emotionally. They noted the easy, realistic way Clara and Miller interact – playfully arguing and joking, but with a clear underlying affection. They asked about how the actors developed such a believable connection with each other.

Mckenna and I instantly connected when we first met. It was a really natural and exciting feeling, something I hadn’t experienced before. We became friends about a year before we started filming, which made the whole process much smoother. Usually, working with someone new can be a little awkward, but with Mckenna, it felt like we’d known each other forever. We just had a lot of fun together.

ScreenRant asked what resonated with me most about my character, noting that Miller portrays a quiet strength and humor that balances out the sadness.

I really connected with the character because, like me, he’s a big film fan. I’ve played many roles, but Miller felt the most like myself, which was a lot of fun. Working with the whole cast – Mckenna, Dave, Allison, and everyone else – was amazing. I genuinely love this character and wanted to do him justice for both the fans and myself.

Sam Morelos Focused On One Of Lexie’s Key Traits For The “Foundation” Of Their Performance

ScreenRant asked Sam about their portrayal of Lexie, noting the character’s lively and emotional energy, and how central they are to Clara’s experiences. They wanted to know how Sam and McKenna Grace developed the close friendship shown on screen.

It was incredibly easy to become friends with McKenna. She’s just naturally someone you connect with, which made working with her a real pleasure. We – me, McKenna, Mason, and Ethan – quickly became a close group on set. We spent a lot of time together, developed tons of inside jokes, and explored Atlanta. We visited places like World of Coke and Ponce City Market, just having a great time. It felt really genuine and comfortable. It’s the best when a friendship you initially build for a role naturally extends into a real-life connection.

ScreenRant asked the actress if she felt any pressure playing Lexie, considering fans already had their own ideas about the character. Or, did she feel she had the freedom to interpret the role in her own way?

I was curious if there was any fan art of Lexie I could look at for inspiration, but there wasn’t much available. I relied on the scenes with Lexie in the script to get a feel for her character. She has a complicated life – she’s constantly working multiple jobs and doesn’t have much support from her mother. I kept that in mind while playing her, and it really informed my performance. It made me realize that her cheerful personality is a way of coping with a difficult reality. There’s something powerful about people who can turn hardship into something positive and fun, and that was the foundation of my portrayal. I was also very inspired by the work Colleen did developing the character. I really enjoyed playing Lexie because I connect with her ability to find humor even in tough situations.

Williams & Franco “Spent Months Fine-Tuning” Their Scenes Together

ScreenRant praised the film for beautifully portraying complex emotions like love, regret, and forgiveness, and highlighted your performances as the heart of the story. They were particularly impressed by the depth of Morgan and Jonah’s relationship and asked about how you collaborated to make those subtle, emotionally resonant scenes feel so authentic.

As a fan, I was really struck by how much depth there was in the relationship between the characters, and Allison Williams explained that was totally intentional. She and her co-star spent months perfecting even the smallest interactions because the movie doesn’t have a lot of time to show their history. They really focused on making every look and every quiet moment feel loaded with meaning and hint at what might happen later. It was amazing to see all that work pay off!

Dave Franco explained that in almost every scene they filmed together, he, the director Josh Boone, and the other actors would carefully review and refine their work. They’d ask themselves if the scene was as good as it could be, considering what they’d already shot, and whether it felt right given the complex emotions they were portraying. Because the story dealt with grief and a developing romance, they had to be very careful and precise with every detail.

ScreenRant asked Alison about the character she played, noting that many of her roles involve characters trying to be in control. They pointed out that Morgan’s story is different, focusing on learning to surrender control, and asked what specifically drew Alison to this character’s journey.

Becoming a parent, and especially a mother, has taught me the importance of letting go. I’m naturally a person who likes to be in control, so motherhood has been a great learning experience. There’s a line in the movie where my character, Morgan, tells her daughter, Clara, about choosing bravery over fear, and that came from my own experiences with my husband, Josh. Clara really trusts her gut and follows what she loves, and she encourages her mom to do the same. But Morgan is lost because, for so long, her daughter was her whole world – something I think a lot of parents can understand. It’s been a struggle for me to relinquish control, but it’s amazing to see what happens when you do.

As a huge movie fan, I was completely floored by this major plot twist – it really turned everything on its head and made me rethink everything the characters were doing. I was especially curious about how that reveal impacted how I saw Morgan and Jonah’s decisions for the rest of the film. It made me go back and analyze their actions with a whole new perspective.

For both of them, this discovery completely changes things. It complicates their grief, preventing them from simply being sad. They each cope in their own way. Morgan experiences intense, rapid shifts in emotion – lots of crying, a bit of escapism with wine and reality TV. But through all of this, they start to realize they’ve been surrounded by people who truly lived in the moment. Eventually, Morgan and Jonah begin to question why they haven’t been doing the same – why aren’t they living life to the fullest?

I’m a parent to a 10-year-old daughter, and watching this film felt like seeing our future together. Can you discuss how you worked with McKenna to create such a believable mother-daughter dynamic?

Working with Mckenna was a real pleasure. She’s a truly kind and gifted performer, so it was challenging to portray conflict with her in the show. We often found ourselves at odds, even in most of our scenes together! We actually started anticipating and enjoying the moments where our characters were simply neutral with each other. But she’s truly amazing – she’s able to access and display a surprising emotional depth and maturity for someone so young, and she’s a remarkably skilled actor overall.

Scott Eastwood Leaned On “The Good Things” About Chris Rather Than His “Complicated Secrets”

ScreenRant asked how I portrayed Chris, a character who initially appears to be an ideal husband, and managed to show his complexity as the story progressed without making him seem like a bad guy. They wanted to know about my approach to balancing those layers.

I really focused on portraying the positive aspects of his character, especially his role as a good father. I also kept in mind that he was hiding a lot of difficult secrets beneath the surface.

ScreenRant asked about the subtle guilt Chris carries, even in quiet moments, and how the actor approached portraying that emotional restraint.

Scott Eastwood explained that you have to accept the possibility your actions could harm others, and that realization can be heavy to carry.

ScreenRant asked about how the actor approached a key moment in their performance to ensure it felt realistic and genuine.

I don’t really overthink acting. You just get out there and do it. I read the script repeatedly, do my preparation, and then I just perform.

Josh is a really talented director, and this project perfectly suits his style, but he’s also capable of working on a variety of different films.

Scott Eastwood praised the director, saying he has a clear vision and maintains a calm and collected demeanor on set – qualities Eastwood really appreciates. He doesn’t respond well to directors who yell, believing that strong leadership starts at the top and this director leads exceptionally well.

This movie is adapted from a novel by Colleen Hoover, known for her emotionally impactful stories. It makes you think about love, regret, and the decisions we make.

For me, Scott Eastwood really hit the nail on the head. He basically said it all comes down to choices. Every decision we make, good or bad, shapes who we are and defines the path we take. I truly believe that the sum of our choices is who we are, and that’s something to remember.

Josh Boone Made A Soundtrack For Regretting You Before Making The Film

I have to say, this film really resonated with me. ScreenRant pointed out that the story felt like a perfect fit for my style, and I agree – I’m always drawn to stories about love, loss, and the messy parts of being human. The director mentioned being fascinated by the idea of parents and children seeing each other’s imperfections, and that’s what really grabbed me about Regretting You. It felt incredibly personal, and I think audiences will connect with that honesty.

Josh Boone often thinks about the moment teenagers realize their parents aren’t perfect – they’re just people with their own lives, flaws, and hidden sacrifices. He believes this realization is a crucial step in growing up. It’s a theme he’s explored throughout his filmmaking career, starting with his first movie, which, like his current one, dealt with uncovering the complexities of parents and how that impacts their children. His films often weave together the stories of both parents and kids to show this dynamic.
I’d tackled similar projects before, and this story and its characters really resonated with me. I hadn’t read anything by this author before, though I knew she was incredibly popular – her books were everywhere! My 14-year-old daughter had even read a few of them. After reading it myself, I realized we needed to have a conversation! [Laughs] In a way, I made the film for her. She’s close in age to some other young people I’ve worked with, and I feel a connection to them. I enjoy creating things she might appreciate, and I often make films with themes that appeal to her. Honestly, it would probably take a therapist to explain why I keep returning to coming-of-age stories, especially those focused on families, growing up, and life’s big questions, and why I always include humor. I’m not sure why, but it’s something I seem to be good at.

ScreenRant noted your films, like The Fault in Our Stars and Regretting You, have a very unique style when it comes to visuals and music. They asked how important music was in creating the feeling and pacing of this particular story.

Before starting any film project – whether it’s taking a job or writing a script – Josh Boone always creates a soundtrack first. This helps him visualize the movie and essentially ‘prove’ to himself that it will work. He builds a ‘tonal map’ using around five or six key songs, deciding exactly where they’ll fit within the story, and often includes them directly in the script.
I discover a lot of music with my supervisor, Season Kent, who really understands what I’m looking for in a film. We’ve worked together on everything, so she knows my taste well. The process usually starts with my own ideas, but it becomes a collaborative effort. I’m a huge fan of Cameron Crowe – I absolutely love his work. He was even kind enough to sign a copy of ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ for me when I was making ‘The Fault in Our Stars,’ and my agent helped arrange it.
Growing up, his films – like Say Anything, Singles, Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous, and Vanilla Sky – really resonated with me, especially his use of music. It reminded me of George Lucas, who actually wrote out the songs playing on the radio on every page of the American Graffiti script – it wasn’t necessarily a stylistic choice, but he was very intentional about it. Before I became a filmmaker, I spent years working in a record store and I’m a huge music collector. Music, movies, and books are my greatest passions, and making films feels like the perfect way to bring them all together.

2025-10-24 00:07