The Controversial ‘Wuthering Heights’ Movie Gets a Steamy Trailer: See Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi

It’s time to travel back to 1801 Yorkshire because the brand new Wuthering Heights adaptation officially has a trailer. The film is set to follow Emily Brontë’s classic novel of the same name and stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. However, people on social media aren’t too happy about that casting. Keep reading to learn why.

What we know about the latest ‘Wuthering Heights’ film adaptation

Originally announced by Deadline on September 23, Robbie and Elordi’s Wuthering Heights adaptation is all set to be directed by Emerald Fennell and produced by MRC and LuckyChap—which Robbie owns with her husband, Tom Hardy. 

The film also marks the third time Fennell has worked with Luckychap, as the two previously teamed up for Promising Young Woman and Saltburn. Elordi also starred in Saltburn, making Wuthering Heights the second film he, Robbie and Fenell will work on together. 

As seen in the pair’s other films Wuthering Heights does have a darker tone, filled with obsession, lust and angst. You can watch the teaser trailer, complete with a shirtless Elordi, bodice ripping and more,  below! 

Why fans are divided over the new ‘Wuthering Heights’ casting

People on social media were quick to attack the casting choices, though, and even wrote things like “Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi are both amazing actors, but they’re completely wrong for these roles.” 

They were also quick to note that Eldoi’s character Heathcliff is described in the books as having dark skin, which the Euphoria actor lacks. 

“Heathcliff is discriminated against in the book because of his skin color. He’s not a white man. This is whitewashing, and I’m disgusted,” comments an Instagram user. 

Others, however, failed to see a problem with Elordi’s casting and wrote: “Movies at the end of the day are about making money and earning huge profits. Jacob Elordi is a big star and currently the hottest one in the market. So that’s completely understandable.” 

In the past, Heathcliffe was played by actors such as Tom Hardy—who is white—and James Howson—who is black. 

Elordi, Robbie and Fennell have yet to comment on the casting choices, but Michael Stewart, the director of the Brontë Writing Centre, did. 

“With Wuthering Heights, you’ve had many years of white actors playing the more ambiguous ethnic character,” he told The Daily Telegraph. “But things are different now. The way we represent certain people in art and culture comes with a responsibility now that wasn’t there 20 years ago.”

The stars and director have also yet to comment on how they will incorporate the book’s British elements into the film, as both actors are originally from Australia. 

What is ‘Wuthering Heights’ about? 

Originally published in 1847, the plot of the book follows the Earnshaw and the Linton families as they try to deal with the former’s foster son, Heathcliff, who soon enters into an all-consuming relationship with Catherine Earnshaw—who will be played by Robbie in the film. 

The novel was initially published under Brontë’s pen name, Ellis Bell, as a way to make her appear more masculine. The writer had two sisters, Anne and Charlotte, both of whom were writers as well. 

Charlotte is best known for her novel Jane Eyre, whereas Anne wrote The Tenant of Widlfell Hall. All three sisters are considered classic authors and are praised in classrooms worldwide for their romantic yet gothic writing style. 

At this time, it remains unclear whether Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights will follow the same plot as the book. 

When is the new ‘Wuthering Heights’ movie coming out? 

The new Wuthering Heights movie is set to release in theaters on Valentine’s Day 2026.