14 DAY TRIAL // The first reports that Tom Hiddleston was dating his co-star in the upcoming “I Saw the Light,” the Hank Williams biopic in which Hiddleston does his own singing, emerged online in May. They seemed to be confirmed in July, when he and Elizabeth Olsen were spotted out on a dinner date in London.
The fact that both acted unpleasantly surprised about being seen only added weight to the so-called “confirmation,” but Elizabeth insists that this was nothing short of a case of people seeing what they wanted to see.
Elizabeth is not dating Tom, FYI
Shortly before the paparazzi photo-op, there had been sightings of the two throughout London reported on Twitter, with many saying there was no doubt as to the nature of their relationship. Those reports were greatly exaggerated, Elizabeth tells Refinery 29, in an interview about the biopic.
Olsen and Hiddleston are both part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe right now, but they are said to have met on the set of “I Saw the Light,” in which he plays the singer and she his first wife, Audrey. At the time the production started, Elizabeth was engaged, but she called it off at the beginning of 2015, after filming wrapped.
The timing of the breakup also struck some as odd, fueling talk that she and Tom became romantically involved while working together.
That too is a coincidence, just like the so-called dinner date that “exposed” them as lovers is.
“I mean, we definitely are friends and we’ve known each other for about four years,” she says. “And we happened to be at a restaurant at a wrong time having dinner. We all go out to dinner. Apparently, I’m dating Chris Evans, and apparently, I’ve dated Jeremy Renner, so I guess that… I don’t react to [the rumors].”
Asked point-blank if she and Tom are an item, Elizabeth responds with a clear “no” and the addition that “people can think what they want to think.” In other words, that’s the only denial we’re ever going to get on this topic.
The rumor will be around for a while more
Perhaps the only reason why Elizabeth issued this denial in the first place is her thinking that it would put the rumor to rest. In reality, chances of that happening are very slim, especially since the promo trail for the biopic hasn’t even started yet.
“I Saw the Light,” directed by Marc Abraham, will be out in November this year, just in time for the upcoming Oscars season. It’s been getting some award buzz, but for it to materialize into an actual nomination, both its stars will have to sell it - and sell it hard! - to the press.
This will most likely translate into even more scrutiny on them and their body language during these interviews, and in actual direct questions about the state of their relationship.