THE MARQUEE
Hollywood legend Kim Novak is speaking out against the casting of Sydney Sweeney in the upcoming biopic Scandalous!. In a candid interview with The Times of London, the 91-year-old Vertigo star expressed sharp disapproval of the Euphoria actress portraying her. Novak told the publication that Sweeney is "totally wrong" for the role, which focuses on Novak's highly publicized 1950s romance with entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.
Novak’s primary concern lies in how the film might portray the nature of her relationship with Davis Jr. She told The Times that she fears the production will overly sexualize their bond, noting that Sweeney’s public persona is often seen as too "sultry." Novak emphasized that her connection with Davis Jr. was rooted in deep affection rather than the scandalous lens through which the media viewed them at the time. "It wasn't about sex. It was about two people who were in love," Novak stated during the interview.
The project, produced by Miramax, is set to be directed by Oscar nominee Colman Domingo. While Sydney Sweeney is also serving as a producer on the film through her company Fifty-Fifty Films, Novak remains unconvinced that the casting choice captures her true essence. The legendary actress suggested that the production should have sought out a performer who could better reflect the emotional gravity of the era's racial prejudices rather than focusing on a "glamorous" Hollywood interpretation.
