Hardin Scott and Tessa Young’s story is much from over, in spite of that After Ever Happy Pleased finishing. Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Josephine Langford reprise the fan-favorite Hessa in After Ever Pleased, the 4th movie in the After franchise business. While filled with swoonworthy minutes, the movie’s finishing will capture audiences by shock: Hardin and Tessa are not with each other at completion of the movie.
Throughout After Ever Happy, Hardin and Tessa experienced highs and lows on a personal and a relationship level. As Hardin worked on himself, Tessa relocated to New York. Fast-forwarding five months, Hardin is in New York in the movie. Tessa learned that Hardin had published a book about their relationship just as they were preparing to get back together. Hardin published his work following yet another time jump.
As After Ever Happy came to a conclusion, Tessa appeared at Hardin’s book reading covertly. Before Hardin could recognize Tessa’s face in the crowd, she fled. Hardin appeared to be aware that Tessa was in his presence, though. Hero discussed the movie taking such a risk and deviating from the book authored by Anna Todd in EXCLUSIVE TERMS with HollywoodLife.
“It’s interesting. It’s kind of nice exercising your ability as an actor to not make those decisions sometimes and to kind of just almost hide behind the tough decisions that the other higher-ups need to make,” Hero said. “But I also think it’s nice leaving stuff to people’s imagination sometimes and not really finalizing anything because you always want to say never say never. We have paced ourselves to get to this point at the end. It was a little bit surprising, but it’s always interesting to leave stuff up for debate and not be too final with anything.”
Hero responded, “I think it was one of those weird things that happen in movies a tiny bit more than real life, but they absolutely do happen in real life as well. I don’t think Hardin realized Tessa was there his book signing. You feel it in your gut, briefly wonder if you’re dreaming, and seriously doubt your own knowledge of certain subjects. However, I thought it was more of an instinctive “my soulmate is in the same room, and I can feel it” feeling. So, yes, I believe he did.
Fans will then be aware that Hardin and Tessa do eventually get back together. After Everything, the sequel to After Ever Happy, has already finished filming.
In After Ever Happy, Hardin finally battles those inner demons he’s had since childhood. His emotional journey in the film allowed him to finally move on from past trauma. “I remember doing the first film thinking like, ‘I can’t wait to get more into this stuff about why he is the way he is, and not just portraying a character who has a lot to work on as just an effect and not showing the cause,’” Hero continued. “I think that’s so important in storytelling and life as well to not judge a book by its cover and wait until you fully understand where someone comes from before you judge them. So it’s always been welcomed for me. I’ve always been excited to get into that aspect of him and explore those aspects of him.”
In addition to a fifth installment in the After series, a prequel centered on a young Hardin is also in development. Hero shared his knowledge of the Hardin-focused film. “I don’t know. One of the producers, Jen Gibgot, sent me a photo of a possible young Hardin. She recently informed me straight up that they intended to do that. I knew nothing about it at all, the 24-year-old actor revealed. “She sent me a photo of a person whose name I can’t remember. And I thought, “Well, they got the looks right if they go with him. He could easily play a young Hardin.” Again, I’m not making this up; I have no idea what I’m talking about. She showed me a picture of someone and I was, ‘Oh, he looks like me.’ That’s the extent of my knowledge of the prequel, but I think it’d be fun if the fans want to do it, then why not?”
In 2019, the first After movie was released, and it immediately became popular. Hero and Josephine both had breakthrough performances in the movie. Hero considered telling Josephine about this After experience. “I think what makes it really great is that you have someone who’s really like a peer and level with you because it was both of our first parts, it was our main role for both of us for the first time. To experience that with someone who shares your understanding merely levels the playing field. That has really helped both of us, in my opinion. If we ever get the chance, I’d want to work with Jo again on another project because I’ve really loved working with her. Now you can watch After Ever Happy on demand.
