Argylle, the forthcoming spy thriller featuring Dua Lipa and Henry Cavill, revolves around the intrigue of an unpublished novel supposedly inspiring the film. Apple’s unprecedented $200 million acquisition of the rights to this mysterious book by debut author Elly Conway adds to the enigma.
Bantam Books and Penguin Random House released Conway’s book on January 9, credited to the film’s protagonist played by Bryce Dallas Howard. The film, directed by Matthew Vaughn and written by Jason Fuchs, presents a Romancing the Stone–style story within a story, with Lipa and Cavill portraying fictional characters from Howard’s novel.
Taylor Swift (Credits: Getty Images)
Despite Conway being a fictional character within the film, attempts to portray her as a real person on social media raise eyebrows. The book’s dedication and author’s notes provide little insight into Conway’s identity, deepening the puzzle.
The speculation surrounding Taylor Swift’s involvement emerged during the film’s promotional phase. Swifties found connections between Conway’s backstory and Swift’s life, leading to online theories. However, Vanity Fair sources confirmed last October that Swift was not the actual author of the book.
Director Matthew Vaughn addressed the rumors, asserting that the real book exists, but Swift is not its author. The authorship remains shrouded in mystery, with Vaughn dismissing any association with Swift and emphasizing the book’s quality.
Theories about the author’s identity include speculation about Vaughn himself or British writer Tammy Cohen. Vaughn mentioned author Terry Hayes in an interview, further fueling speculation. The actual novel’s reviews on Goodreads are mixed, with some critiques focusing more on Swift-related speculation than the book’s content.
The unfolding mystery raises questions about when and if the author’s identity will be revealed, with the potential for a strategic unmasking for optimal pre-release buzz. The enigma surrounding Argylle’s inspiration adds an extra layer of intrigue to the anticipation building before the film’s February 2 release.
