Why Some Fans Are Very Upset That Jacob Elordi Was Cast in the Upcoming Wuthering Heights Adaptation

Emily Bronte Wuthering Heights is one of those literary classics that will continue to be remade into movies multiple times per decade until the end of the universe. In most cases, these films will go largely unnoticed except by serious fans, but the latest book-to-movie adaptation of the classic is stirring up more than a little controversy due to its casting.

Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi have been cast in the lead roles of Catherine and Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s new take on the story. However, both stars have been met with some criticism. Some fans seem to think Robbie is, at best, too safe a choice, as Wuthering Heights is a decidedly strange story about outrageous characters, making it the perfect film for the writer-director of SatburnThe infamous bathtub scene. The feelings towards Elordi are more significant because he is of a different race than the character in the novel.

Although Heathcliff’s race is never specified in Wuthering HeightsHe is described as having dark skin in the pages of the novel. As such, many are frustrated by Elordi’s casting, as his casting would not be accurate to this description.

Heathcliff is described as a dark-skinned brown man in the book and a major plot point is that he was racially abused by his adoptive family. But yeah, of course Jacob Elordi is perfect! https://t.co/VqRvlOCvMPSeptember 23, 2024

Heathcliff is traditionally considered one of the great romantic heroes of classical literature. In the novel, he is adopted and integrated into the Earnshaw family, which explains why he is of a different race from the others. His difference is arguably a key element of the character, which is why proper casting is so important to fans of the book.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a strong desire from audiences to cast people of color in roles. We’ve seen projects cast other actors in roles that are traditionally played by white actors. But because there’s still a significant imbalance, fans feel like it’s still a major problem when white actors are playing roles that other people should be playing.

description of heathcliff in wuthering heights vs the guy chosen for him. emerald fennell you can’t see the pearly gates pic.twitter.com/OBqYwQ3tOzSeptember 23, 2024

Of course, Wuthering Heights The film has been adapted for film numerous times, and the issue of casting Jacob Elordi is not new. It has been pointed out that in the dozen or so previous adaptations, the actor who plays Heathcliff is rarely played by non-white actors, although this has happened before.

I think it’s so unfair and ridiculous how Hollywood casting directors continue to erase canonical BIPOC characters in important roles, especially in classic literature and historical roles like Wuthering Heights. The 2011 adaptation is the only one that has an accurate shot of Heathcliff.September 23, 2024

Of course, even though this has happened many times before, that is probably the problem. It has happened before, so it is high time for it to change. The fact that people are only now realizing that this is a problem is a sign that more and more people are paying attention.

It’s funny how everyone is losing their minds over Jacob Elordi playing Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights. pic.twitter.com/CC6Npoh3neSeptember 24, 2024

To be fair, we know almost nothing about Emerald Fennell. Wuthering Heights. This may not be a traditional version of the story. Perhaps the decision to cast Jacob Elordi in the role has a specific purpose that takes into account the original description of the character. We’ll have to wait and see.