AceShowbiz - Halle Bailey has long held an intimate vision of Italy in her mind, an evocative image of a woman running through endless vineyards beneath a vast sky. This poetic impression, not tied to any one film or moment, captured a feeling of beauty and freedom that resonated deeply with her. So when producer Will Packer reached out to her about starring in a romantic comedy set in Tuscany, Bailey didn’t hesitate. "The minute he said it was set in Italy, I was like, ‘Where do I sign?’" she recalls.

That project, You, Me & Tuscany, is now a warmly anticipated romantic comedy from Universal, featuring Bailey as Anna, a culinary-school dropout who escapes to a sun-drenched Tuscan villa. There, she falls into a rich and textured romance with Michael, a multilingual winemaker portrayed by Regé-Jean Page, the charismatic star of Bridgerton. Shot entirely on location amid the timeless hills, ancient stone towns, and vibrant vineyards of Tuscany, the film is set for release on April 10.

Bailey describes the experience as a genuine fantasy come to life. “You hear that phrase all the time, but this was really it,” she says, emphasizing how the film’s setting infused the story with authenticity and warmth.

Director Kat Coiro, whose credits include Marry Me and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, approached the project with a deep respect for Italian culture. As an Italian-American pursuing citizenship, she was determined to represent Tuscany with accuracy and affection. She enlisted production designer Elena Albanese, herself Italian, to ensure every detail—from sandwiches to table settings to glasses of wine—felt genuinely Italian. “I wanted Italians to feel like this is a film for them,” Coiro explains.

You, Me & Tuscany joins a distinguished lineage of films that have celebrated Tuscany’s captivating landscapes and cultural resonance. Classics such as Under the Tuscan Sun, The English Patient, and Gladiator have all drawn on the region’s golden hills, historic architecture, and distinctive light. Italy’s generous tax credit of up to 40 percent for international productions, combined with the support of the Toscana Film Commission, which assists with permits and location scouting, made shooting fully in Italy both authentic and economical. Producer Will Packer notes that filming on Italian soil, even for scenes set in New York, aligned perfectly with both budget and authenticity.

Filming took place over 34 days, divided between Rome and the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage area celebrated for its Renaissance beauty. In Rome, interiors were created at Cinecittà Studios, the legendary site of iconic films like Ben-Hur and La Dolce Vita. Building the interiors on soundstages allowed Coiro complete control over lighting and design, visually marking Anna’s transformation from New York’s reserved coolness to Tuscany’s inviting warmth.

The production’s schedule mirrored Italian cultural values, emphasizing work-life balance. Italian crews work shorter days without overtime, dedicating time to personal life beyond the set. “They do not live to work,” Coiro notes. “They work to enjoy.” This approach required the production to be meticulously organized, with locations kept close and hours used efficiently. The result was a lean filming process that allowed the cast and crew to savor the environment they were capturing. “It felt like the whole thing was a vacation,” says Coiro.

The team was based near Pienza, a hilltop town famous for its Renaissance heritage and particularly its strong-smelling pecorino cheese. Page jovially confirms the cheese’s pungency as a mark of quality. Much of the film’s outdoor scenes were shot on a single family-owned vineyard in the area, a unique property featuring villas, a wine shop, a piazza, and an ancient 13th-century castle tower. The vineyard’s discovery in the 1960s is a story of adventure—owners cleared centuries of overgrowth with machetes to reveal an untouched 18th-century villa. The wines produced there bear names inspired by celestial bodies, adding a poetic touch to the setting.

Coiro expresses pride in the visual authenticity captured on location, confessing a concern that some viewers might suspect the landscape was green-screened because of its flawless beauty. Bailey recalls her first morning in Tuscany vividly: “I opened the shutters and the view just hit me. I had this moment of, ‘I can’t believe this is my life.’” Bringing along her nearly two-year-old son, Halo, she was embraced by the local community, which showered attention on the child. To prepare for her role, Bailey took cooking classes to master pan flips and knife techniques, and during downtime, she hunted for kitchenware souvenirs—buying yellow lemon plates and local olive oils and jellies to bring home. She also discovered and visited Narni, a natural thermal pool in the Umbrian hills, twice during the shoot.

Page, who was new to Tuscany despite previous Italian visits to Milan and Venice, used his free time to explore the region’s back roads in a rented 4×4. He enjoyed discovering small hilltop hamlets where he sampled home-cooked meals, often prepared by grandmothers. “It’s the best way to discover food and people,” he says. Evening concerts in candlelit courtyards, with music echoing off ancient stone, added to the cinematic magic of the experience. “We were making a movie and somehow I was also living one,” he reflects.

The surrounding wine country added a rich layer to the film’s setting. Nearby lie Montepulciano and Montalcino, two of Italy’s most famed wine regions, known for their celebrated Brunello wines. The region’s deep cultural and culinary heritage informed not only the film’s backdrop but the characters’ stories and interactions.

Throughout the shoot, the styling and wardrobe contributed to the film’s authentic atmosphere. Bailey wore designers such as Stéphane Rolland and Michael Kors, paired with distinctive jewelry from L’Atelier Nawbar and Anabela Chan, and shoes by Le Silla and Saint Laurent. Page was styled in Ferragamo, Dunhill, and Giuliva Heritage, accessorized with pieces from David Yurman, Omega, and EF Collection, complemented by Manolo Blahnik and Di Bianco loafers.

Beyond the film itself, You, Me & Tuscany also inspired a recent photo shoot featuring Bailey and Page among the vineyards of Napa Valley, capturing their on-screen romance amid lush greenery reminiscent of their Italian filming locations.

In sum, You, Me & Tuscany is a heartfelt homage to Tuscany’s enchanting landscapes and cultural richness, brought to life through meticulous direction, authentic locations, and the natural chemistry of its leads. The production’s commitment to Italian authenticity and its seamless blend of romance and regional charm promise an immersive cinematic experience when the film opens this April.