Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of 'People We Meet On Vacation'! The film's director, Brett Haley, and author Emily Henry, are here to spill the tea on the Taylor Swift song they almost used, but ultimately decided against. Brace yourself for a controversial decision that might just leave you questioning their choices!
Haley knew he wanted a Taylor Swift song for a pivotal scene in the film adaptation of Henry's book. But here's where it gets interesting: he considered a different track from Swift's 1989 album, before settling on the folklore ballad 'August' for Poppy's grand entrance at a lavish party.
The film follows Alex Nilsen and Poppy Wright, played by Tom Blyth and Emily Bader, as they reunite at a wedding after a traditional summer trip that ended on a sour note.
During an interview, Henry reminded Haley that they initially wanted to use 'Clean' [Taylor's Version], but budget constraints got in the way. Henry agreed that 'August' was the perfect fit for the scene, capturing Poppy's fear of being just a summer fling.
Haley shared, "It's my favorite Taylor Swift song, hands down. We even played it on set to time it up with the steady-cam operator. 'August' being summer, it was all designed around that song."
But here's the controversial part: Haley's music supervisor warned him not to use it on set, fearing they might not be able to secure the rights. Haley, however, was manifesting his dream, and thankfully, Taylor Swift was kind enough to grant their wish.
'August' has made its mark in popular culture, previously featured in the Season 2 trailer for Prime Video's 'The Summer I Turned Pretty', intermixed with 'Back To December' from Swift's Speak Now album.
So, what do you think? Was 'August' the right choice for the film, or should they have gone with 'Clean'? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Remember, in the world of film and music, sometimes the road less traveled can lead to unexpected magic.
