Most actors are thrilled when they discover they landed a leading role in a movie. But for Luke Bracey, being cast in the film adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid's 2016 novel One True Loves caused panic.
"When I got the job and realized Taylor's fanbase, there was a short moment of terror in the way that she's such a popular writer and people are so invested in her stories, rightfully so," Luke told E! News' Francesca Amiker ahead of One True Loves' Apr. 7 release. "There's that initial moment of pure terror of, 'Why did they choose me to ruin this?'"
But after the Australian actor was able to meet with Taylor—who also wrote Daisy Jones and the Six, the book behind Amazon's latest hit—and his co-stars Phillipa Soo and Simu Liu, they gave him "the confidence to take it on and make it my own."
Phillipa hadn't read any of Taylor's bestselling books prior to being cast as Emma—a woman torn between her two loves after discovering her presumed dead husband Jesse (Luke) is actually alive just as she commits to a life with fiancee Sam (Simu). But she quickly became one of the author's many fans after having the "most incredible experience as a reader."
So, with both stars knowing how beloved the story of second chances is by TJR's fans, the pressure was on to deliver, especially in some of the key scenes.
"Our first day of filming was when I come back and it was really intense," Luke said of shooting Jesse's surprise return. "It set the mood for how we were going to work. That's a pretty full-on scene."
But the Holidate star did admit there was one aspect of the pivotal moment he was especially excited for. "I grew a really big beard!" he said with a laugh. "That's a real beard, all me! And then I shaved it off that night."
While that was Phillipa's first day working with Luke, the initial scene she filmed with Simu was Sam's proposal, "which was really beautiful and different in its own way," she shared. "I am excited for both of those."
Sadly, viewers won't get to hear Phillipa, who starred in the original production of the Broadway hit Hamilton, sing in the movie. But she did reveal there were some music moments behind the scenes, revealing that the Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings star is a "very talented" singer.
As for Luke, he was happy to serve as an audience. "Phillipa and Simu have all the musical talent," Luke added. "They've got so much of it that I don't need any. I love music, I just don't have any talent when it comes to singing."
When Phillipa clarified, "I actually didn't hear you sing," Luke answered, "And you should count your blessings."
With chemistry like this, One True Loves fans definitely will be.
One True Loves hits theaters April 7 and debuts on digital April 14.