Margot Robbie Defends Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in ‘Wuthering Heights’: “Trust Me, You’ll Be Happy”
Emerald Fennell is set to bring a bold new version of Wuthering Heights to theaters. Her upcoming film is described as a Gothic psychological drama and is loosely based on Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel.
The movie stars Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff. Supporting roles include Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, and Ewan Mitchell. Warner Bros. Pictures plans to release the film in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2026, and in the United States two days later on February 13.
Margot Robbie recently spoke to Vogue about the casting choices. She addressed fans’ concerns about her version of Catherine, who is blonde rather than brunette. Robbie said, “I get it. There’s nothing else to go off at this point until people see the movie.” Fennell has also shared that her Catherine is older than in the book, in her mid-20s to early 30s.
Robbie had high praise for Elordi as Heathcliff. “I saw him play Heathcliff. And he is Heathcliff. I’d say, just wait. Trust me, you’ll be happy. It’s a character that has this lineage of other great actors who’ve played him, from Laurence Olivier to Richard Burton and Ralph Fiennes to Tom Hardy. To be a part of that is special. He’s incredible and I believe in him so much. I honestly think he’s our generation’s Daniel Day-Lewis.”
Elordi was considering a break from acting before Fennell offered him the lead role without requiring an audition. His casting as Heathcliff, a character originally described as racially ambiguous, caused some controversy. Fennell defended her choice in September, saying he “looked exactly like the illustration of Heathcliff on the first book that I read.”
Inspired by the greatest love story of all time. New trailer for #WutheringHeightsMovie, in cinemas this Valentine’s Day.
— Warner Bros. UK (@WarnerBrosUK) November 13, 2025
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The younger versions of the characters will be played by Charlotte Mellington, Owen Cooper, and Vy Nguyen. Hong Chau, Alison Oliver, and Shazad Latif joined the cast in November 2024, while Martin Clunes and Ewan Mitchell complete the main ensemble.
Wuthering Heights will arrive in theaters right before Valentine’s Day 2026, offering audiences a dark, intense love story for the holiday weekend.
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