Margot Robbie plays Catherine Earnshaw in the new adaptation of stormy peaks directed by Emerald Fennell, but the first images from the set unleash controversy. Fans criticize the choice of casting, in particular Jacob Elordi like Heathcliff
Margot Robbie has officially worn the role of Catherine Earnshaw in the new cinematographic adaptation of Stormy peaksdirected by Emerald Fennell. The film, which will see her starring next to Jacob Elordi in the role of Heathcliffwill arrive in theaters on the eve of Valentine’s Day 2026. Since the announcement of the project, the wait has been high, but with the exit of the First images from the setthere was no lack of disputes.
The first images from the set of stormy peaks
The photos, taken in one British moor During external filming, they show Margot Robbie in a white dress with bustier And crinolineembellished with a embroidered veilas he holds some flowers in his hand. A look that immediately aroused conflicting reactions. Many fans of Emily Brontë’s novel stressed how Cathy, in the book, is described with dark hairwhile Robbie sports his characteristic blonde hair. In addition, the costume opened a historical debate: The classic white wedding dress was not yet in use at the time of the story, introduced only in 1840 with the wedding of Queen Vittoria. However, some observers believe that the choice may be a tribute to the iconic look of Merle Oberon in the 1939 film adaptation directed by William Wyler and in which he starred next to Lawrence Olivier.
The controversies on the cast
In addition to the aesthetic aspect, the casting generated on bright discussions. Already at his confirmation, many fans of the novel had expressed doubts about the choice of Margot Robbie, considering it too adult for the role of Cathy, and Jacob Elordi, considered not very suitable for incarnating Heathcliff. The most debated point concerns the male character: Heathcliff is described in the book as a “Dark-Skinned Gipsy”. Not only that: it is precisely the racism that Heathcliff undergoes because of his appearance and his origins (he was abandoned by newborn in the port of the slaves of Liverpool and adopted by Catherine’s father) to shape his dark and violent personality and to remove him from Cathy.
“I think Margot Robbie is too old to play Cathy and Jacob Elordi is too white to play Heathcliff”is the comment that best summarizes the controversy exploded on social media.
There are those who asked themselves “If someone has actually read the book before choosing them”because the fans of the novel expect a tormented story and characters who know how to bring the character of the protagonists back to the screen, men and women agitated by violent passions, heroes and Gothic heroines capable of capturing the spirit of an era.
Many users have accused the production of “Whitewashing“, Complaining about the lack of an actor with a darker complexion to interpret Heathcliff. Some propose alternatives such as Regé-Jean Page, Riz Ahmed or Dev Patel, actors who would have been more faithful to the original description of the character.
What is certain is that in previous adaptations of Stormy peaks Heathcliff has almost always been interpreted by white actors … but today, like Michael Stewart (director of the Brutë Writing Center) he underlined, the expectations of the public compared to ethnic representation in the media have changed compared to the past. “For many years there have been white actors who have played characters of different ethnic groups. But now things are different, the way we represent certain people in art and culture involves a responsibility that was not there 20 years ago”.
The perception that the two chosen protagonists are too “perfect” – with an aesthetic in accordance with the Hollywood canons (Robbie interpreted Barbieemblem par excellence of a stereotyped beauty) – to embody the turbulent soul of the characters. “No hatred for Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi”wrote a user on Twitter, “But neither of them has quite psychologically tormented Vibe to interpret Cathy and Heathcliff. An adaptation of Stormy peaks It simply needs strangest actors. “
The question is part of a wider debate on the creative freedom of a director in adapting a literary classic. How far can a reinterpretation be pushed without betraying the soul of the original work? The adaptation of Emerald Fennell promises to be discussed for a long time, and only time will say if his choices will be accepted as an audience reinterpretation or as a betrayal of the spirit of Stormy peaks.
