Emerald Fennell Always Pictured Jacob Elordi As Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights

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Emerald Fennell is addressing criticism about her upcoming film adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Since the project was announced in 2024, the casting of Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff has sparked debate, as the character is described in Emily Brontë’s novel as having dark skin and being racially ambiguous. Fennell explains she cast the actor based on her own vision of the character, formed when she first read the book as a teenager. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she stated that everyone connects with the novel personally, and a film adaptation can only reflect the director’s own interpretation. She focused on what she described as the book’s ‘pseudo-masochistic elements’ and acknowledged the impossibility of fully capturing the novel’s greatness on screen. Ultimately, she aimed to create a film that evoked the same feelings she experienced while reading the book, which is why she chose to call it Wuthering Heights despite knowing it would be a unique take.

Elordi agreed, emphasizing the importance of artistic vision. He explained, “Quotes exist for a reason. This project is Emerald’s unique perspective, born from her imagination as a teenager. I’m fascinated by seeing someone reimagine a classic – bringing new, original ideas and visuals to life.”

While filming Saltburn in 2023, director Emerald Fennell pictured Jacob Elordi with sideburns and immediately thought of Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. She told British Vogue she couldn’t shake the image, recalling it was exactly how she’d always pictured the character on the book cover since she was a teenager. It was a powerful, nostalgic feeling – a teenage obsession rekindled.

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2026-01-30 02:54