Emerald Fennell, the creative force behind the highly anticipated adaptation of *Wuthering Heights*, has unveiled her ambitious vision for the classic tale. Speaking at the BFI Southbank in London, she shared insights into the casting process and the unconventional methods employed to bring Emily Brontë’s iconic characters to life. With Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in lead roles, Fennell aims to provoke a visceral response from audiences, even amid the scrutiny surrounding her choices.
Margot Robbie’s Enthusiastic Involvement
In an unexpected twist, Margot Robbie proactively expressed her desire to portray Cathy Earnshaw before Fennell even approached her for the role. During the discussion, Fennell recounted how she sent the script to Robbie’s production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, only to be pleasantly surprised when Robbie reached out to her. “I was very nervous to ask her,” Fennell admitted. “I didn’t want to put her on the spot. I was like: ‘Do I go for it?’ No, I didn’t. Of course, I didn’t, because she’s braver than me. She asked me.”
With Robbie playing a character originally written as a teenager, and Elordi cast as Heathcliff, questions about authenticity have surfaced. Critics have noted that the novel describes Heathcliff as having South Asian heritage, raising concerns about representation. Fennell, however, defended her creative choices, stating, “I can’t adapt the book as it is but I can approximate the way it made me feel.”
A Unique Approach to Set Design
Fennell’s innovative vision extends beyond casting. The film’s set design reflects a profound emotional landscape, particularly in Cathy’s bedroom. The wallpaper was inspired by Robbie’s own skin, incorporating her veins and freckles into a tactile experience. “We asked her to send us all her veins and her freckles, and then we printed it on silk and stuffed it and put latex over it so that it could sweat,” Fennell explained. “At first glance, you don’t see any of it; it’s just a beautiful pink room.”
This attention to detail serves as a metaphor for Cathy’s journey, exploring themes of beauty and objectification. Fennell believes that the film should elicit a “primal response” from its audience, a sentiment echoed in her previous works that deftly intertwine social commentary with compelling narratives.
Creating Emotional Connections
To further immerse the actors in their roles, Fennell crafted elaborate shrines for Robbie and Elordi that showcase the obsessive infatuation their characters share. “I was like: ‘I’m going to go through the internet, I’m going to find their best photos and then I’m going to make shrines in their bedrooms for each other,’” she revealed. This playful yet intense preparation aims to deepen the emotional connection between the actors and their characters.
Fennell also collaborated with pop sensation Charli XCX to develop the film’s soundtrack, showcasing her commitment to blending contemporary artistry with classic literature. “I sent Charli the script. Even though she was in the middle of the brat tour, she read it immediately,” Fennell shared. “She called me and said: ‘What do you want?’ I said: ‘Well, a song would be nice.’ And she said: ‘How about an album?’”
Anticipation for the Premiere
The film is set to premiere on 5 February in London’s Leicester Square, followed by a UK cinema release on 13 February—just in time for Valentine’s Day. Early reviews from its Los Angeles debut on 28 January have praised it as “intoxicating” and “bewitching”, though full critiques will be unveiled closer to the release date.
Emerald Fennell’s *Wuthering Heights* promises to challenge traditional narratives while inviting viewers to engage with its emotional depth. Her commitment to pushing creative boundaries in filmmaking signals a refreshing direction for adaptations of literary classics.
Why it Matters
This reimagining of *Wuthering Heights* not only seeks to honour Brontë’s original intentions but also reflects contemporary issues surrounding identity and representation in cinema. By inviting modern interpretations and encouraging discussions about the characters’ complexities, Fennell’s adaptation could pave the way for a new generation of storytelling that resonates deeply with today’s audiences. As this classic tale is reshaped for modern viewers, it raises crucial questions about how we perceive love, identity, and the very essence of humanity.
