“Our Generation’s Daniel Day-Lewis”? Margot Robbie Defends ‘Wuthering Heights’ and Jacob Elordi’s Controversial Casting
The literary world and film enthusiasts alike are buzzing, and not just with anticipation. Emerald Fennell’s audacious new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s gothic classic, Wuthering Heights, is stirring up a significant storm, particularly concerning its casting choices. Leading the charge in defending the film against a wave of pre-release controversies is none other than Oscar nominee Margot Robbie, who also stars as the iconic Catherine Earnshaw.
A Bold Vision for Catherine: Robbie’s Take on the Earnshaw Enigma
From the moment Fennell announced her vision for Wuthering Heights, eyebrows were raised. The novel’s Catherine Earnshaw is famously a brunette teenager. Enter Margot Robbie, a blonde, 35-year-old actress. Addressing this disparity in a recent interview with British Vogue, Robbie acknowledged the initial backlash, stating, “I get it. There’s nothing else to go off at this point until people see the movie.”
Director Emerald Fennell, known for her provocative storytelling in films like Saltburn, clarified her artistic decision: she deliberately aged up Catherine for the screen to be in her late 20s or early 30s. Fennell passionately defended Robbie’s casting, explaining, “Cathy is a star. She’s willful, mean, a recreational sadist, a provocateur. She engages in cruelty in a way that is disturbing and fascinating.” She added, “It was about finding someone who you would forgive in spite of yourself… Margot comes with big dick energy. That’s what Cathy needs.” This bold reimagining of Catherine, a character central to Brontë’s tragic romance, aims to capture her complex, almost destructive allure.
Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff: A Comparison to Daniel Day-Lewis
The casting of Jacob Elordi as the enigmatic Heathcliff ignited even greater online furor. Brontë’s original description of Heathcliff as “dark-skinned” clashed with Elordi’s portrayal, prompting a fiery debate among purists.
However, it was Elordi himself who sparked Fennell’s inspiration for the adaptation. After seeing him with sideburns on the set of their previous collaboration, Saltburn, Fennell had an epiphany: “Oh my God, it’s the Heathcliff on the cover of the book that I’ve had since I was a teenager.”
Margot Robbie staunchly defended Elordi’s controversial casting. “I saw him play Heathcliff. And he is Heathcliff. I’d say, just wait. Trust me, you’ll be happy,” she asserted. What truly sent ripples through the acting world, however, was Robbie’s staggering praise for Elordi’s talent: “It’s a character that has this lineage of other great actors who’ve played him, from Laurence Olivier to Richard Burton and Ralph Fiennes to Tom Hardy. To be a part of that is special. He’s incredible and I believe in him so much. I honestly think he’s our generation’s Daniel Day-Lewis.” This comparison to an acting legend like Daniel Day-Lewis, known for his intense method acting and transformative performances, highlights the immense faith Robbie and Fennell place in Elordi’s portrayal of one of literature’s most tormented figures.
Beyond the Controversy: An Epic Romance with a Provocative Edge
Beyond the casting, the film’s marketing has also been a talking point, with its “sexy, sweaty and erotic” imagery — including a close-up of a finger in Robbie’s mouth from the first released image — sparking further fan outrage.
Robbie, however, urged caution against pre-judging the film solely on its promotional material. “Everyone’s expecting this to be very, very raunchy. I think people will be surprised,” she explained. “Not to say there aren’t sexual elements and that it’s not provocative – it definitely is provocative – but it’s more romantic than provocative. This is a big epic romance. It’s just been so long since we’ve had one – maybe The Notebook, also The English Patient. You have to go back decades.” She emphasized Fennell’s signature ability to elicit a physical response, whether “titillating or repulsion.”
Emerald Fennell and Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights promises a fresh, bold, and undeniably controversial take on a beloved classic. With its upcoming release on February 13th from Warner Bros., audiences will soon have the chance to witness whether Elordi lives up to the lofty “Daniel Day-Lewis” comparison and if Fennell’s daring vision truly redefines Brontë’s timeless tale. You can read Margot Robbie’s full cover story on British Vogue’s website for deeper insights.
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