Emerald Fennell wants to shake things up! She’ll be giving us a stunning new take on Emily Brontë’s timeless classic novel, Wuthering Heights. This daring adaptation stars Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff. It delivers a world that’s breathtakingly beautiful and deeply moving. The film has received international acclaim for its bold portrayal of taboo topics. Perhaps the most arresting tableau, a public hanging, has led to some of the most heated conversations on Twitter and Facebook.
Fennell, who previously won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for “Promising Young Woman,” is making her directorial debut with this adaptation, which has been described as “aggressively provocative and tonally abrasive.” As the story of beautiful, unrequited love deepening into dangerous obsession readjusts its currency for modern audiences, it has the potential to reach out across generations.
Margot Robbie’s production company, LuckyChap, is behind the film’s production, which has fueled debates around her casting as Cathy. She’s still raised concern among critics about her ability to handle the position. Fennell defended Robbie against this wave of critique. He amplified her star power and emphasized the ambiguity and moral complexity of Cathy as a character.
“Cathy is a star. She’s wilful, mean, a recreational sadist, a provocateur. It was about finding someone who you would forgive in spite of yourself.” – Emerald Fennell
Fennell imagines this adaptation to be “this generation’s Titanic,” wanting it to stir deep emotions within its audience. She expressed her passion for the source material, stating, “I’ve been obsessed. I’ve been driven mad by this book.” Beyond that, she’s just really devoted to getting the most out of the characters. Sue’s aim is to make the most powerful and impactful film possible.
Robbie said she was just as excited about reuniting with Elordi. She feels that he really is Heathcliff, and does justice to the character’s legacy. She gushed over his talent and looked towards his vast potential, proclaiming him to be “our generation’s Daniel Day-Lewis.”
“I saw him play Heathcliff, and he is Heathcliff. Just wait. Trust me, you’ll be happy.” – Margot Robbie
The film will tackle ideas of fire and lust with a cocktail of love and seduction. Robbie acknowledged the expectations surrounding its audacity, stating, “Everyone’s expecting this to be very, very raunchy. I think people will be surprised. It’s more romantic than provocative.”
The casting director, Kharmel Cochrane, has been targeted with hate online, including receiving a specific death threat on Instagram. Following this accident, she shared some thoughts about adaptation, representation, and authenticity in storytelling.
“But just wait until you see it, and then you can decide whether you want to shoot me or not. But you really don’t need to be accurate. It’s just a book.” – Kharmel Cochrane
Fennell and Robbie have been outspoken about their efforts to create an artistic and exciting cinematic experience that resonates with their generation. On Getting Home Robbie illustrated that the purpose of the project is to appeal to young women in their 30’s. This demographic is underrepresented in grand romances and historical dramas.
“It was the little things that we loved as two women in our 30s… These epic romances and period pieces aren’t often made by women.” – Margot Robbie
The creative team behind “Wuthering Heights” wish to subvert the classic narrative while exploring the lives of its characters. On top of that, Fennell’s vision for the film involves broadening the focus of what makes relationships interesting, exciting, and sexy outside of the physical.
“What reads to us as hot or exciting or sexy? And it’s not just a sex position or someone taking their shirt off.” – Margot Robbie
As anticipation builds for this adaptation, audiences eagerly await its release to see how Fennell’s directorial vision and Robbie’s performance will unfold on screen.