Josh Hartnett's goddaughter said he was 'a thousand years old' for Verity role
Synopsis
Josh Hartnett's toughest critic isn't a reviewer — it's his 12-year-old goddaughter, who told him he was 'a thousand years old' to play the romantic lead Jeremy in Verity and lobbied for Timothée Chalamet instead. With the Colleen Hoover adaptation hitting screens on 2 October 2026, the anecdote captures exactly the casting debate swirling among the novel's passionate fanbase.
Key Takeaways
Josh Hartnett revealed his then 12-year-old goddaughter could not picture him as Jeremy Crawford in Verity , calling him 'a thousand years old' for the role.
His goddaughter reportedly preferred Timothée Chalamet for the part.
Hartnett noted that Jeremy is written as a man in his 40s , matching the actor's current age.
Verity is directed by Michael Showalter , written by Nick Antosca , and based on Colleen Hoover's novel of the same name.
The film stars Anne Hathaway , Dakota Johnson , and Hartnett, releasing via Amazon MGM Studios on 2 October 2026 .
Actor Josh Hartnett has revealed that his then 12-year-old goddaughter flatly refused to picture him as Jeremy Crawford in the upcoming psychological thriller Verity, telling him he was far too old for the part — and that she would have preferred Timothée Chalamet in the role instead.
What Hartnett Said on The Tonight Show
Speaking to host Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Hartnett recalled the candid reaction with good humour. 'My goddaughter, who was 12 at the time, she's a very mature 12-year-old, she read the book. It's not really for 12-year-olds, but she'd read it. She's now almost 14,' he said.
He continued: 'She absolutely could not see me in that role. She was like, you can't be Jeremy. You know, the character's name is Jeremy. You can't be Jeremy. You're like a thousand years old. She wanted, like, she wanted, like, Timothee Chalamet or somebody to play.'
Fallon offered a reassuring counter, telling Hartnett: 'It's you. It is all you. I guess. It's all you.'
Why Hartnett Was Cast
Hartnett pushed back on his goddaughter's assessment by pointing out that Jeremy Crawford is written as a man in his 40s — squarely within the actor's current age range. The clarification is notable given that Hartnett first rose to fame as a teen idol in the late 1990s and early 2000s, appearing in films such as Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, The Faculty, The Virgin Suicides, and Pearl Harbor. That earlier image, it seems, is still vivid enough in younger fans' imaginations to colour how they picture him today.
About the Film Verity
Verity is a 2026 American psychological erotic thriller directed by Michael Showalter and written by Nick Antosca, based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel of the same name. The film stars Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Hartnett. It is scheduled for release by Amazon MGM Studios in the United States and Canada on 2 October 2026.
The story centres on Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who is approached by Jeremy Crawford — the husband of celebrated author Verity Crawford — after a mysterious accident leaves Verity unable to complete her successful book series. While working on the manuscripts at the Crawford home, Lowen uncovers a hidden document that raises unsettling questions about Verity's mental state and her possible role in disturbing events.
The Colleen Hoover Connection
Hoover's novel has been a publishing phenomenon, driven largely by the BookTok community on social media — the same audience that would likely have strong opinions about casting choices. The film's fanbase, skewing younger and deeply familiar with the source material, makes Hartnett's goddaughter's reaction more than just a family anecdote: it reflects a broader conversation about whether the casting matches readers' imaginations. Notably, Hoover's work has consistently attracted Hollywood interest, with several of her titles in various stages of adaptation.
With the film's release just days away, audience curiosity around the casting — and whether Hartnett can silence his toughest critic — is only set to grow.
Point of View
But it points to a real casting-perception challenge: Hartnett built his brand as a 1990s teen idol, and for younger audiences raised on BookTok, that image lingers even as he approaches 50. The Colleen Hoover fanbase is among the most vocal in popular culture, and their casting expectations carry genuine box-office weight. Whether Hartnett's performance shifts that perception — or whether the film leans into the generational tension — will be one of the more interesting audience-reception stories of the autumn season.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Josh Hartnett's goddaughter say about his role in Verity?
Hartnett's then 12-year-old goddaughter told him he was 'a thousand years old' to play Jeremy Crawford and said she would have preferred Timothée Chalamet in the role. Hartnett shared the story during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Who plays Jeremy Crawford in the Verity film?
Josh Hartnett plays Jeremy Crawford in Verity. The character is written as a man in his 40s, which Hartnett cited as justification for the casting despite his goddaughter's objections.
When does the Verity film release?
Verity is scheduled for release on 2 October 2026, distributed by Amazon MGM Studios in the United States and Canada.
Who else stars in Verity alongside Josh Hartnett?
The film stars Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson alongside Josh Hartnett. It is directed by Michael Showalter and written by Nick Antosca, based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel.
What is the plot of Colleen Hoover's Verity?
Verity follows Lowen Ashleigh, a writer who is hired by Jeremy Crawford to complete his wife Verity Crawford's unfinished book series after a mysterious accident. While working at the Crawford home, Lowen discovers a hidden manuscript that raises troubling questions about Verity's psychological state and possible links to disturbing events.
