Meg Ryan is back with her first romantic comedy in nearly 15 years.
The “Sleepless in Seattle” actor is both in front of and behind the camera as the director, star and co-writer of upcoming film “What Happens Later,” which dropped its trailer Wednesday. Ryan stars opposite David Duchovny (“The X-Files,” “Californication”) and wants people to know that for people her age, the sexual tension is very much alive and well.
“Sometimes there’s a question of: Will they be together? Will they not be together?” the 61-year-old star said in an interview done before the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike, according to Entertainment Weekly. “For that reason, [‘What Happens Later’] sort of evolves the rom-com genre just a little bit. It’s also about old people, and it’s still romantic and sexy.”
The trailer kicks off with an awkward glance and wave between ex-partners Willa, played by Ryan, and Bill, played by Duchovny, 63, who bump into each other at the airport. After exchanging pleasantries during their first meeting in 20 years (“25, maybe,” he says), the pair starts to relate to the realities of aging.
“I’ve been 49 forever and ever and ever,” Willa says.
“Wow, lucky you,” Bill responds, “I feel like I’ve been in my 50s since my 20s.”