close
close

Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights is accused of whitewashing in wake of Jacob Elordi casting reports

Emerald Fennell here at the Baftas earlier this year via Associated Press

Saltburn director Emerald Fennell It looks like she'll be reteaming with one of the film's stars for her latest project.

On Monday evening, Deadline was the first to report that Jacob Elordi will play Heathcliff in the remake of the Oscar-winning Wuthering Heights.

In the meantime, Margot Robbie – whose production company LuckyChap was behind the first two Emerald films, Promising young woman and Saltburn – was apparently cast in the role of Catherine Earnshaw.

Jacob ElordiJacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi via Associated Press

The casting news immediately sparked a huge reaction on social media, with some critics accusing the film of “whitewashing” the original story by choosing the actor to play Heathcliff.

Many X-users have pointed out that Heathcliff is described as “dark-skinned” in Emily Brontë's original gothic novel. Some have also pointed out that the character is subjected to racist abuse by his foster family.

HuffPost UK has contacted representatives for Emerald Fennell, Jacob Elordi and LuckyChap Entertainment for comment.

The character Heathcliff has previously been portrayed in various adaptations of Wuthering Heights by Ralph Fiennes, Sir Laurence Olivier, Timothy Dalton and Tom Hardy.

Andrea Arnold's 2011 adaptation of the book is considered one of the few major productions in which the role of Heathcliff was cast by a black actor, James Howson.

“Wuthering Heights” will be Emerald Fennell’s third feature film as director.

For her work on Promising young womanShe was nominated for Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars and won the award for Best Original Screenplay.

The film also won Best British Film at the BAFTAs; its follow-up film, “Saltburn,” was also nominated for a similar award.

Jacob and his co-stars Barry Keoghan And Rosamund Pike They also received Bafta nominations for their performances in Saltburn, and Barry and Rosamund also won awards at this year's Golden Globes.

MORE FILM NEWS:

You may also like...