Meth Tharathor Talks Henry's First Dates Adaptation and Casting
Director Meth Tharathor discusses the adaptation of “50 First Dates” into the Thai film “HENRY’s First Dates – Henry Forgets,” highlighting the gender‑swap that makes the male lead forgetful. He shares insights on casting Nadech Kugimiya and Minnie from I‑DLE, the on‑screen chemistry, and the preparation for Nadech’s Southern Thai dialect.
Meth explains that while the overall tone of the film stays close to the original, many details surrounding the characters shift because of the gender reversal. The pursuit of love, family dynamics, and atmosphere all change accordingly, giving the remake its own identity.
When asked if he had always pictured Nadech in the role of Henry, Meth says he had thought of his longtime collaborator but hesitated to approach him until the script was finished, fearing potential problems during development.
He chose Minnie to play Lucy because the joint GDH–Sony production wanted an internationally recognized female lead to complement Nadech’s domestic star power, noting her background as a global K‑pop performer matches Lucy’s adventurous, dream‑chasing nature.
Regarding the on‑screen chemistry, Meth says he prefers working with actors who interpret their roles and push the characters forward. He observed Minnie’s initial shyness around Nadech turning into a natural, growing closeness that became evident as filming progressed, especially during family scenes.
Finally, Meth addresses Nadech’s need to speak Southern Thai. He arranged a dialect coach from Phuket, referred to as “Uncle Kai,” to drill the lines, record them for Nadech to practice at home, and ensure authentic delivery.
