Critics express disappointment over Wuthering Heights casting
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, recognized for their roles in Barbie and Saltburn, are set to star in a new film adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Directed by Emerald Fennell, the film will see Robbie and Elordi take on the iconic roles of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, respectively, against the backdrop of the rugged Yorkshire moors. Despite the high-profile casting, many fans and critics have voiced their concerns. Clarisse Loughrey, a film critic for the Independent, questioned if the casting decision took the source material into account, noting that Catherine is a teenager in the novel while Heathcliff is described as “dark-skinned.”
Critics have pointed out the disparity, with TV and film critic Gavia Baker-Whitelaw commenting on the casting choices and expressing skepticism about the film’s direction. Collider’s editor and critic, Maggie Boccella, criticized Fennell for seemingly overlooking the deeper themes of the original work, suggesting that the choice to cast well-known actors may reflect a priority on box office appeal rather than fidelity to the source material.
Fennell, who gained prominence with her Oscar-winning film Promising Young Woman, will have Robbie as one of her lead actors for the first time in this adaptation. Currently, filming is expected to start in the UK next year, as reported by Variety and Deadline.