Prepare yourselves for the highly anticipated release of Matthew Vaughn’s latest film, “Argylle,” slated to hit theaters next month. This star-studded movie boasts an impressive cast including Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Sam Rockwell. While we eagerly await its premiere, an intriguing rumor has been circulating that Taylor Swift is the mastermind behind the source material for “Argylle.” Although Vaughn has debunked this claim, he did confess that even his own daughter was swayed by the viral theory.
To provide some context, when the announcement for “Argylle” was made in August 2021, it was revealed to be based on an unpublished book by a mysterious author named Elly Conway. Interestingly, Bryce Dallas Howard’s character in the 2024 movie shares the same name, adding an intriguing layer of mystery. The book, titled “Argylle,” was finally released on January 9, but it turns out that Elly Conway is merely a pseudonym, leaving the true author’s identity shrouded in secrecy. This led social media users to speculate that Taylor Swift might be the elusive writer. When Rolling Stone questioned Matthew Vaughn about this theory, he chuckled and shared the following tale:
“As an individual who doesn’t spend much time on the internet, it was actually my daughter who approached me with this surprising revelation. The power of celebrity and the internet truly knows no bounds! She said, ‘You never told me Taylor wrote the book!’ I was taken aback and replied, ‘What are you talking about? Taylor Swift didn’t write the book!’ We shared a laugh over it because, well, it simply isn’t true. But my daughter was genuinely convinced.”
Curiosity may arise as to why Taylor Swift specifically became the focus of these rumors amidst countless other celebrities. It boils down to three key reasons: her penchant for wearing argyle sweaters, her ownership of two Scottish Fold cats, which are prominently featured alongside Bryce Dallas Howard’s character in the “Argylle” trailer, and the similarity of Howard’s red hair in the film to Swift’s appearance in her “All Too Well” short film. While these connections may seem tenuous, rest assured that there is indeed an author behind the Elly Conway pen name. Vaughn added, “There is a real book… and it’s a really good book. And there is an Elly Conway who wrote the book, but it’s not Taylor Swift. I say this because I can imagine Taylor Swift has numerous opportunists trying to ride her coattails. I don’t want to be a part of that club. I did read the conspiracies, and I thought, ‘Wow, they leave no stone unturned!’ But I can confirm, Taylor Swift definitely didn’t write the book.”
As we count down the weeks until the release of “Argylle,” the question remains whether the true Elly Conway will step forward and reveal herself to the world or continue to keep her literary endeavors shrouded in mystery. It is worth noting that while Taylor Swift is not the elusive author, she did inspire the inclusion of the Scottish Fold cat in the film. This particular breed is owned by Matthew Vaughn and his wife Claudia Schiffer, and Swift’s influence can be traced back to her involvement with these felines in the Netflix documentary “Miss Americana.” Thus, the popular singer’s impact will be felt in “Argylle” in a significant way.
Mark your calendars for February 2, when “Argylle” will grace the silver screen, offering a thrilling blend of espionage, star power, and the enigmatic allure of the unknown. For those eager to indulge in Taylor Swift’s artistry, her 2023 concert film, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” is available for purchase or rental, having already made a splash at the box office during its opening weekend.