Emerald Fennell hopes ‘Wuthering Heights’ becomes this era’s ‘Titanic’

The director adapting Emily Brontë's novel to film has high hopes for the Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi starrer

Emerald Fennell is expressing high hopes for Wuthering Heights as the film approaches its release, aiming for the new adaptation to resonate strongly with audiences.

The director has shared her ambition for the project, which stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, to become a film that viewers return to repeatedly.

Robbie told British Vogue that Fennell said, “I want this to be this generation’s Titanic.” She added that she remembered watching Romeo & Juliet eight times in the cinema and hoped the film might inspire similar enthusiasm among audiences. Robbie also said they hoped people “go see it with 10 of their female friends,” and described it as “an amazing date movie.”

The film gained attention when its trailer revealed intimate scenes that surprised some viewers. Robbie addressed the reaction by saying it is not as “raunchy” as people expect. She explained, “Everyone’s expecting this to be very, very raunchy. I think people will be surprised. Not to say there aren’t sexual elements and that it’s not provocative – it definitely is provocative – but it’s more romantic than provocative.”

Robbie described the film as “a big epic romance,” noting that it has been a long time since audiences have had such a story, mentioning The Notebook and The English Patient as examples. She highlighted Fennell’s talent for crafting scenes that provoke a physical emotional response, saying, “Whether it’s titillating or repulsion, her superpower is eliciting a physical response.”

Wuthering Heights is set to release in cinemas on Valentine's Day next year.