Wuthering Heights teaser: Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi heat up Bronte adaptation

The first teaser for Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Emily Bronte’s classic novel, ‘Wuthering Heights’, has been released, promising a provocative take on the beloved story. The film stars Australian actors Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the iconic characters Catherine and Heathcliff. Fennell’s project, which started a bidding war in 2024, has been described as an erotic interpretation that challenges traditional depictions of the story.
Fennell, known for her Oscar-winning screenplay for ‘Promising Young Woman’, brings a fresh and bold vision to the screen, with the first glimpse teasing audiences with its tagline, “drive me mad”. The film includes a controversial scene during sexual intercourse, which stirred discussion among early viewers who described the film as “aggressively provocative and tonally abrasive.”
Jacob Elordi, who gained recognition from the TV series ‘Euphoria’, expressed his admiration for the film’s artistry in an interview earlier this year. “The performances from everyone – it’s breathtaking,” he stated, adding, “It’s an incredible romance. It’s a true epic. It’s visually beautiful. The script is beautiful. The costumes are incredible.”
The casting of Elordi as Heathcliff has been met with some backlash, given that the character is traditionally portrayed with dark skin. However, casting director Karmel Cochrane defended the decision, saying, “There was one Instagram comment that said the casting director should be shot,” but she encouraged viewers to “just wait till you see it, and then you can decide whether you want to shoot me or not. But you really don’t need to be accurate. It’s just a book. That is not based on real life. It’s all art.”
The film, which will be released on Valentine’s Day 2026, includes a supporting cast featuring Hong Chau, Martin Clunes, and Owen Cooper. The adaptation promises a visually stunning and emotional narrative, aiming to captivate modern audiences while staying true to the novel’s themes.
This latest version adds to the numerous adaptations of ‘Wuthering Heights’, with previous versions including William Wyler’s 1939 film and Andrea Arnold’s 2011 adaptation. Fennell’s take hopes to offer something new by combining the classic romantic tragedy with contemporary cinematic flair.
Fennell’s success with her previous films ensured this project gained significant attention, with Warner Bros securing the deal after a competitive bidding process. Despite its divisive nature, ‘Wuthering Heights’ is poised to attract both fans of the novel and new audiences seeking an innovative retelling.