British actor Hugh Grant says he doesn't know what the future holds for romantic-comedy films since young people seem more obsessed with their electronic devices than interacting with people.
"I sometimes wonder if one could, anymore, make a romantic comedy because I think people under 25 or under 30, maybe, don't talk much. I mean how would you do it? ... Every shot would be a close-up of their phone," the 54-year-old star of The Rewrite said at a press conference in New York this week.
"When I meet young people, they frequently say, 'Can I get a picture; can I get a selfie?' And sometimes I'm not in the mood and I say, 'Well, I don't really want to do a selfie, but I'll have a chat with you.' 'But what about a selfie?' 'No, we could just meet. Where are you from?' 'But what about a selfie?' And there's sort of a desperate look in their eyes."
Co-starring Marisa Tomei, Chris Elliott, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons and Bella Heathcote, The Rewrite is in theaters and available via video-on-demand platforms now. This marks the fourth collaboration between Grant and writer-director Marc Lawrence. They previously worked together on Two Weeks Notice, Music and Lyrics and Did You Hear About the Morgans? Grant's other film credits include the rom-com classics Love Actually, Bridget Jones's Diary, Nine Months and Four Weddings and a Funeral.