Nicholas Sparks praises Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor’s chemistry

Filming is over M. Night ShyamalanFilm based on Nicholas SparksThe latest novel, bestselling author Says Lead Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor Really brought the love story to life.

“They’re both consummate professionals, and they did what was most important to me in a movie like this,” Sparks, 59, said. Us Weekly Exclusively for adaptation filming It remainsWhich is expected to be released next fall, while the book will be released on Tuesday, October 14. “Chemistry is incredibly important.”

He continued, “They both got along. They’re both professionals, but they can act, right? There was chemistry there.”

the New York Times The best-selling author spent several days on set during a month-long shoot in Rhode Island over the summer, and says the dynamic between the actors during filming was palpable.

“Of course, I think if you’re Phoebe looking at Jake, or you’re Jake looking at Phoebe, there might be a little chemistry there, you know, it’s not that hard to fake,” Sparks said. we. “But that’s the most important thing you’re looking for because this is a love story. It’s a supernatural love story.”

It remains It follows Tate Donovan, an architect from New York City who comes to Cape Cod to design the summer home for his best friend after a period of mental health struggles. His world is turned upside down when he meets a beautiful young woman named Rin, and he quickly becomes embroiled in the mystery of her past.

Sparks conceptualized the story with Shyamalan before they each developed the novel and film version in their own media.

Gyllenhaal, 44, plays Tate, and Dynevor, 30, plays Ren in the film version, which was written by Shyamalan, 55. The cast is completed by Ashley Walters, Julie Hagerty, Jay O. Sanders, Tracy Eve O and Hannah James.

“I was there and did what I do, got out of the way, and kind of let the experts work,” Sparks said. we From his experience in the group. “It was fun.”

Another Sparks novel is getting a whole new life with the national tour of the Tony-nominated musical version of Notebook.

“The music is beautiful. Pekah (Brunstetter) did a fantastic job with the book and Michael (Grif) and Scaffolding (Williams“He did a great job with that,” Sparks said. we The musical is based on his 1996 novel, which follows the film of the same name. “It’s a really magical show, in the way they flip back and forth through time. I found it amazing.”

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams He played the title role in the romantic film, which became a cult classic after its premiere in 2004. The musical debuted on Broadway in March 2024 with music and lyrics Ingrid Michaelson. The North American tour began in September 2025 and will extend until August 2026.

“You can do things on stage that you can’t do in a book or in a movie,” Sparks said. we From the show. “It’s really fun to see this story told in a whole new medium with music, and there are some great tunes in there. It’s really incredible.”