An intimate first look at Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, was shared just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Emerald Fennell is helming the project, and will write, direct and produce the new version of Emily Bronte’s classic novel in her third film, following 2020’s Promising Young Woman and 2023’s Saltburn, the latter of which she worked on with Euphoria star Elordi.
She first announced her plans to adapt Wuthering Heights as her third feature last July, posting a surprise announcement to social media with a graphic reading, “Be with me always – Take any form – Drive me mad,” a line from the novel.
Late last year, it was reported that the film would hit screens on February 13, 2026, after starting a bidding war that saw Netflix offer $150million for the film – although the filmmakers opted for Warner Bros’ bid of $80 million with a theatrical release.
On Friday (February 14), a timely first look was shared by Warner Bros, featuring fingers prying into an open mouth beside blades of grass. The close-up was captioned: “Happy Valentine’s Day. See you on 02.14.26.”
The reception to the first glimpse at the film has been largely negative, with some questioning its erotic tone. “So she just wants to make it sexy?” asked one X/Twitter user. “That’s the reason for making an adaptation?” Another added: “Here goes Hollywood over sexualizing everything,” while one user bluntly put it: “Emily Bronte is tossing and turning in her grave.”
Similarly, when news of the adaptation broke, both Robbie and Elordi’s casting proved divisive, with the Saltburn actor’s role proving most controversial.
The book details on the tumultuous relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff after they meet while living at the titular residence, however, Elordi’s casting has received a significant backlash because of Heathcliff’s ethnicity as he is described as “dark skinned” in the book.
Dr Claire O’Callaghan, editor-in-chief of the official journal of the Brontë Society, told the Telegraph: “I guess the danger of this – of casting a white actor – particularly in the cultural climate, is that it overlooks the ambiguity that’s there.”
There have been numerous screen adaptations of Wuthering Heights, including director William Wyler’s 1939 version that starred Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. More recent versions include a 2009 miniseries for ITV starring Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley and a 2011 feature starring Kaya Scodelario and James Howson.
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