When Emerald Fennell announced she was adapting Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, it stirred up excitement among both film and literary fans. Known for her sharp and often dark storytelling, the Promising Young Woman and Saltburn director is no stranger to difficult themes like revenge, cruelty, and class struggle. And now, with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi set to star as Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, the project promises to be one of the boldest takes on Brontë's classic novel.
The casting of Robbie and Elordi is nothing short of intriguing. Robbie, fresh off the global success of Barbie, has proven her ability to tackle complex characters, making her a fascinating choice for the passionate and self-destructive Catherine. Elordi, who's recently made waves with Euphoria and Saltburn, could offer a fresh, unpredictable edge to the deeply tormented Heathcliff. Together, they seem primed to explore the toxic yet magnetic love story at the heart of Wuthering Heights.
Wuthering Heights has seen several adaptations, but none have quite captured the visceral intensity of Brontë's original vision. While films like the 1939 Laurence Olivier version and Andrea Arnold's 2011 adaptation have attempted to translate this raw story to screen, many feel the “definitive” film version has yet to be made. Fennell's track record of tackling dark material with nuance and a contemporary lens could finally crack the code.
Currently in pre-production, with filming set for 2025 in the UK, Fennell's Wuthering Heights could very well be the adaptation we've been waiting for. Keep an eye out for more updates, as this film could redefine the boundaries of literary adaptations.
