Director Matthew Vaughn has revealed that Taylor Swift's cats accidentally inspired the new film Argylle.
The 34-year-old singer, whose fans recently speculated that she was the crime writer behind the spy novel, is the proud owner of three cats – two of which are Scottish Folds named Meredith Gray and Olivia Benson.
Vaughn, 52, who shares three children with supermodel wife Claudia Schiffer, 53, said his daughters brought home a Scottish Fold cat after seeing Taylor's pets in the 2020 documentary “Miss Americana.” .
He told Rolling Stone that Swift was responsible for the film's hilarious cat character – with his own Scottish Fold Chip taking on the role.
He said: “I came home one day, it was Christmas, and I thought, 'What the hell is that noise?' It was purchased without my permission and hidden from me.
Taylor Swift's cats accidentally inspired new film Argylle, director Matthew Vaughn reveals (pictured with Olivia Benson)
The 34-year-old singer, whose fans recently speculated that she was the author of the crime novel, is the proud owner of three cats – two of which are Scottish Folds (via Olivia and Meredith Grey).
He told Rolling Stone that Swift was responsible for the film's hilarious cat character – with his own Scottish Fold Chip taking on the role
Matthew then clarified that they had originally cast another cat actor but it just didn't work out, leading him to ask his daughter if he could borrow her cat Chip for the role.
“The first day of filming with the cat we had – this actor's cat – didn't really work out, and I literally walked into my daughter's bedroom because the cat sleeps with her and said, 'Look, I'll do it.' Borrow the cat.' And she said, “Good.”
“I don't think she realized what it meant until three months later.” It was strange because he drove to work with me every morning and shared my caravan with me. But he was great. And he seemed to enjoy it too. He was a natural. The Nepo Cat.'
This comes after Vaughn dismissed a claim that the hitmaker found time to write a novel between her Eras tour and attending boyfriend Travis Kelce's games, although he confirmed that she was indirectly the inspiration for the upcoming film .
“There's a real book… and it's a really good book. And there's an Elly Conway who wrote the book, but it's not Taylor Swift,” he clarified.
“I read the conspiracies and thought, 'Wow, they're leaving no stone unturned!'” But it's not Taylor Swift. She definitely didn't write the book.'
“I don't think she realized what it meant until three months later.” It was strange because he drove to work with me every morning and shared my caravan with me. But he was great. And he seemed to enjoy it too. He was a natural. The Nepo cat
The rumor that Swift is a secret spy author has been denied after fans speculated that she was the crime writer who wrote Argylle
“And I say that because I imagine Taylor Swift has a lot of people left, right and center trying to jump on her bandwagon and I don't want to be a part of that club.”
The highly anticipated film is scheduled to hit theaters on February 2, 2024.
The book's plot aims to “reinvent the spy genre” and follows introverted spy novelist Elly Conway (played by Bryce Dallas Howard), who is drawn into the real world of espionage when the plot of her books hits a little too close to home for her the activities of a sinister underground syndicate.
It stars Henry Cavill as lead agent Argylle alongside femme fatale Dua Lipa in her feature-length acting debut. Apple Original Films reportedly paid a whopping $200 million for it.
The film was first announced in June 2021, with the script having already been adapted prior to the novel's publication.
“When I read this early draft of the manuscript, I felt like it was the most incredible and original spy franchise since Ian Fleming's books from the '50s.” “This will reinvent the spy genre,” enthused Vaughn.
However, surprisingly little was revealed about Elly – her name was spelled interchangeably Ellie and Elly in promotional materials.
On the Penguin website, Elly's bio simply states: “She lives in the United States and is currently working on the next installment of the series.”
The novel “Argylle” was published on January 9th by a pseudonymous author using the pseudonym Elly Conway and has already been made into a film starring Dua Lipa and Henry Cavill
Vaughn disputed the claim that the singer wrote the book, although he confirmed that she indirectly inspired the upcoming film; He is pictured in 2023
“There's a real book… and it's a really good book. And there's an Elly Conway who wrote the book, but it's not Taylor Swift,” he clarified in a new interview with Rolling Stone
Left: Taylor Swift carries her cat in the Miss Americana film. Right: the advertising poster for Argylle
Swift is known for leaving clues for her fans in her work, leading many to believe that she was hinting that she was Elly Conway. In an Instagram snap, she wore a sweater that said “Conway.”
Surprisingly little was revealed about Elly – whose name was spelled interchangeably Ellie and Elly in promotional materials
Elly's Instagram account is empty – she only follows one person – her agent Eric Reid
The highly anticipated film is scheduled to hit theaters on February 2, 2024
Elly's Instagram account is empty – she only follows one person – her agent Eric Reid.
Swift is known for leaving “Easter eggs” and clues for her fans in her work, which led many to believe she was hinting that she was Elly Conway.
Fans pointed out that the cat featured in the film resembled Taylor's cats.
Before her record-breaking Eras tour, Taylor wore a sweater that said “Conway Recording Studios.”
Conway is played by a red-haired author in the film. In Taylor's short film “All Too Well” she plays a red-haired author.
Perhaps most strikingly, Taylor has often worn argyle prints over the years – and even sold argyle print merchandise.