Australian actress Margot Robbie has addressed the controversy surrounding her and Jacob Elordi’s casting in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of “Wuthering Heights.” As the star of “Barbie,” Robbie, 35, has faced criticism for her portrayal of Catherine Earnshaw, a character described in Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel as a brunette teenager, while Robbie is blonde. Elordi, who plays Heathcliff, has also drawn scrutiny for his casting as a character traditionally depicted as dark-skinned.
Robbie acknowledged the backlash in an interview with British Vogue, stating, “I get it.” She emphasized the need for audiences to reserve their judgments until they have seen the film. “There’s nothing else to go off at this point until people see the movie,” she added.
Robbie praised Elordi’s performance, likening him to “our generation’s Daniel Day-Lewis.” She expressed confidence in his portrayal, encouraging moviegoers to give the film a chance. “I saw him play Heathcliff… and he is Heathcliff,” she said, believing that viewers will be impressed once they experience his portrayal.
Emerald Fennell has also defended her casting choices, highlighting Robbie’s “supersized star power” as essential for the complex character of Cathy. She described Cathy as a willful and provocative character, someone who engages in disturbing but fascinating cruelty. Fennell noted the importance of casting an actress who could evoke a deep understanding of why the character is so compelling.
As anticipation builds for the film’s release, both Robbie and Fennell urge audiences to be open-minded and immerse themselves in this fresh interpretation of a classic literary tale.