Kim Novak “Would Never Have Approved” Sydney Sweeney Casting In ‘Scandalous!’: “Totally Wrong To Play Me”
Why it matters: This clash highlights generational divides in Hollywood and the ongoing debate over casting authenticity versus star power.
- Kim Novak "would never have approved" Sydney Sweeney's casting, citing Sweeney's perceived sex appeal and concerns the film will focus too much on sex, despite her and Sammy Davis Jr. having "so much in common" (The Times).
- Colman Domingo, the film's director, describes 'Scandalous!' as a "fractured love story" aiming to be a "beautiful, sweet film" about the possibility of love and privacy, with filming planned for summer 2025 after 'Euphoria' Season 3 (Deadline).
- Novak shared personal advice for Sweeney, emphasizing the asset of being a bipolar actor for experiencing profound joy and pain, a perspective that adds nuance to her concerns about the portrayal (The Times).
- Commenters offer mixed reactions, with some agreeing with Novak that Sweeney is miscast, while others defend Sweeney's acting range, citing performances in 'Eden' and 'Christy', and one noting rumors that Miramax has backed out of the film's production (Anonymous comments).
- The film aims to explore the covert, racially charged affair between Novak and Sammy Davis Jr. in 1957, a relationship that faced immense pressure from Hollywood studio heads and rampant racism, threatening their careers (Deadline).
Hollywood legend Kim Novak vehemently opposes Sydney Sweeney's casting as her in Colman Domingo's upcoming film 'Scandalous!', fearing the movie will overemphasize sex due to Sweeney's image, despite Domingo's vision of a "beautiful, sweet film" about love under scrutiny. Novak, who revealed her bipolar diagnosis in 2013, believes Sweeney is "totally wrong" for the role and offers advice on vulnerability, while some commenters debate Sweeney's acting range and the film's production status.
