Controversial casting in new "Wuthering Heights" adaptation
Fans and critics disagree with the casting of Robbie and Elordi as the main characters in the now-iconic "Wuthering Heights." The main arguments are the actress's age, who, according to the literary original, will be portraying a teenager, and the skin color of the star known from "Euphoria."
10:02 AM EDT, September 24, 2024
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi have been cast in a new version of the literary classic "Wuthering Heights," which has elicited mixed reactions. The adaptation of Emily Brontë's novel will be directed by Emerald Fennell, an Oscar winner for the screenplay of the film "Promising Young Woman."
The new production will feature fascinating storylines involving the Earnshaw and Linton families in rural Yorkshire and their connections with Heathcliff, the adopted son of the Earnshaws. Jacob Elordi, known for roles in the series "Euphoria" and the film "Saltburn," will portray Heathcliff. Margot Robbie, recently associated with the production "Barbie," will play his beloved Cathy.
Fans and critics say "no"
The decision to cast Elordi as Heathcliff has sparked controversy because the character in the book is described as a dark-haired, dark-eyed, and dark-skinned man, most likely of Romani or Gypsy origin. Elordi's casting has been criticized, particularly considering the historical miscastings of this character in screen adaptations.
In response to the casting decision, film critic Clarisse Loughrey of the Independent wrote, "Did anyone actually read the book?"
Users on X/Twitter also expressed their dissatisfaction. One of them stated, "Heathcliff is described as a dark-skinned brown man in the book and a major plot point is that he was subjected to racist abuse by his adopted family but yeah sure Jacob Elordi is perfect!"
Another user added, "Heathcliff is described as ‘dark-skinned’ This is SO weird, his being a POC is one of the major themes in the novel??? I hope there’s enough backlash for a recast, this is insane. People just haven’t read the book & it shows."
Another issue that has raised criticism is the age of the actors. In the novel, Heathcliff is about 40 years old, while Cathy is a teenager. One of the critics wrote, "White Heathcliff and 34-year-old Cathy, and they both look like they belong on Instagram." "This is the most view bait casting ever. How on earth is she Cathy and him Heathcliff? Looks, age, accents...?? Good English classics are too few; leave them alone."
This will be the first adaptation of Wuthering Heights since Andrea Arnold's 2011 film, in which James Howson played Heathcliff—his only acting role. The most well-known adaptation of Brontë's novel is the 1992 film, in which the lead characters were portrayed by Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes.
