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Oscar-winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell is standing by her casting choices for the upcoming adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights,' which stars Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff. The film, set for release on Valentine's Day 2026, offers a bold new take on Emily Brontë's 1847 gothic romance.
Speaking at the Brontë Women's Writing Festival on 26th September, Fennell described her long-standing connection to the novel, calling it a work that is uniquely sensual, unsettling, and devastating. She explained that her goal with this adaptation was to capture the raw, emotional intensity she felt when she first read it, leaning into its primal and provocative nature.
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Image Courtesy: People
'Wuthering Heights' Casting Sparked Buzz
The casting, however, has sparked online debate. Critics pointed to Robbie's age compared to the teenage Catherine in the book, while others raised concerns about Elordi’s portrayal of Heathcliff, who Brontë described as "dark-skinned."
Fennell explained that she had envisioned Elordi in the role since working with him on 'Saltburn,' saying he reminded her of the illustrations of Heathcliff in the edition of 'Wuthering Heights' she first read. She praised him as a surprising actor capable of embodying the character's complexity.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
As for Robbie, who also serves as a producer on the film, Fennell highlighted her magnetic presence and ability to command attention. She emphasised that Robbie's blend of beauty, unpredictability, and star power makes her a perfect fit for Catherine, a character who defies convention and bends others to her will.
Fennell also reassured fans that the film remains faithful to Brontë's story while heightening its sensual, emotional energy. Her vision is not simply about accuracy but about channelling the visceral reactions the novel inspires.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
The 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation also features Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, and Ewan Mitchell in supporting roles. Casting director Kharmel Cochrane previously addressed the backlash, reminding audiences that literature is open to interpretation and that the final film will speak for itself.
'Wuthering Heights' arrives in theatres on 13th February 2026.
