Part 3/16:
However, critics point out that on-screen chemistry is often a combination of script, talent, direction, and marketing rather than just age. Industry insiders remind us that the traditional "casting formula" typically favors older male leads with younger female counterparts to maximize aesthetic appeal and marketability. The statistical reality suggests that marriage and dating trends in the U.S. lean toward smaller age gaps—around 2 to 3 years—yet Hollywood's casting choices often ignore this, opting instead for a more stylized and less realistic approach.