Emerald Fennell has shared intriguing insights about her upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights, including the surprising revelation that Margot Robbie proactively requested the lead role of Cathy Earnshaw. Speaking at a conversation event at BFI Southbank in London, the director disclosed that Robbie, whose production company LuckyChap Entertainment is behind the film, asked to play Cathy after reading the script, saving Fennell from what she described as a nerve-wracking proposition.
Casting Decisions and Critical Scrutiny
The casting of Margot Robbie, aged 35, as the teenage Catherine Earnshaw has sparked considerable debate and scepticism among critics and fans alike. This departure from Emily Brontë's 1847 novel, where the character is depicted in her late teens, has raised questions about authenticity. Similarly, Jacob Elordi's portrayal of Heathcliff has faced criticism, as the original text describes the character with "Gypsy" and "Lascar" (South Asian) heritage, which is central to the prejudice he endures in the story.
Defending Creative Choices
In response to the backlash, Fennell defended her artistic vision, stating, "I can't adapt the book as it is but I can approximate the way it made me feel." She emphasised that the film aims to evoke a primal response, aligning with her signature provocative style seen in previous works like Saltburn and Promising Young Woman. Supporting this perspective, casting director Kharmel Cochrane remarked at the Sands film festival in Scotland that accuracy to the source material isn't always necessary, calling it "just a book."
Behind-the-Scenes Secrets and Set Design
Fennell unveiled unique details about the film's production, including an unconventional approach to set design. The wallpaper in Cathy's bedroom was inspired by images of Margot Robbie's skin, with the team printing her veins and freckles on silk, adding latex to simulate sweat. Fennell described this as a visual metaphor for the objectification of women, saying, "It's like a visual example of what it feels like to be made a wife, to be made an object of beauty, to be a collector's item."
Shrines and Soundtrack Surprises
To capture the intense infatuation between the characters, Fennell created shrines in the actors' bedrooms, featuring photos of each other sourced from the internet. She explained, "I'm going to make shrines in their bedrooms for each other... There's nothing more humanising than somebody's first press photo." Additionally, the soundtrack features an album by Charli XCX, who, despite a busy tour schedule, eagerly collaborated after reading the script, offering a full album instead of just a song.
Release Details and Critical Reception
The film is set to premiere on 5 February in London's Leicester Square, with a UK-wide cinema release on 13 February, timed for Valentine's weekend. An earlier premiere in Los Angeles on 28 January garnered positive initial feedback, with critics using terms like "intoxicating" and "hypnotic," though full reviews are embargoed until 8 February. This adaptation promises to blend Fennell's daring social commentary with the timeless passion of Brontë's classic, aiming to provoke and captivate audiences anew.
