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Emerald Fennell’s upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights has unveiled its first trailer, promising a bold, visually daring, and erotically charged retelling of Emily Brontë’s classic novel. The film stars Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, with Fennell—Oscar-winning director of Promising Young Woman—at the helm. The movie is set to arrive in theaters on Valentine’s Day 2026.
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi lead the cast
Alongside Robbie and Elordi, the ensemble includes Hong Chau, Martin Clunes, and Adolescence breakout Owen Cooper. Margot Robbie, fresh off the global success of Barbie, will also appear in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey later this month, while Jacob Elordi, known for Euphoria, Priscilla, and On Swift Horses, is set to star in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Elordi described the project to Deadline: “The performances from everyone—it’s breathtaking. It’s an incredible romance. It’s a true epic. It’s visually beautiful. The script is beautiful. The costumes are incredible.”
The making of Fennell’s Wuthering Heights
Following Emerald Fennell’s streaming success with Saltburn, the film sparked a major bidding war in 2024. Netflix reportedly offered USD 150 million, but Warner Bros ultimately secured the rights for USD 80 million, aligning with Fennell and Robbie’s preference for a theatrical release. Early test screenings drew mixed reactions, with some viewers describing the film as “aggressively provocative and tonally abrasive.” One scene, featuring a public hanging, has been singled out for its shocking imagery. Promotional billboards in the US and UK carry the tagline “drive me mad,” which also features prominently in the trailer.
Debate over Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff
Elordi’s casting has stirred discussion among fans of the novel, as Brontë’s original description of Heathcliff noted darker skin. Casting director Karmel Cochrane responded to criticism, saying, “It’s just a book. That is not based on real life. It’s all art.”
What to expect from the new adaptation
This latest Wuthering Heights promises a visually intense and emotionally charged interpretation of the timeless story of passion, obsession, and revenge. With Robbie and Elordi at the center and Warner Bros supporting a theatrical release, the film is poised to be one of the most talked-about Valentine’s Day releases in 2026.