Jacob Elordi admitted feeling nervous about starring opposite Margot Robbie in the new film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights. The Australian actor, 28, shares the screen with Margot Robbie, who also produces the film through her company LuckyChap Entertainment. This gothic romance is scheduled for release in cinemas on February 13, just before Valentine’s Day.
In this highly anticipated drama, Elordi and Robbie portray the iconic lovers Heathcliff and Catherine. The intensity of the project and the scale of the production left Elordi feeling apprehensive as filming began.
Behind the Scenes: The Pressure of a Large-Scale Production
Jacob Elordi described his growing anxiety as he confronted the complexity of the film’s production. Speaking in an interview for Esquire UK’s March/April issue, he revealed,
“The older I get, the more nervous I get, and I was afraid of; it was a big movie, and the crew was big and the sets were big.”
The size of the project, with about 600 crew members working tirelessly, contributed to the weight of expectations he felt.
Director Emerald Fennell weighed in on the challenges Elordi faced, noting the stature of Margot Robbie in the industry. She said,
“Yes, and also Margot is the biggest star in the world and you’re playing opposite each other. It’s fucking big.”
This further intensified the pressure on Elordi to deliver a compelling performance.
Elordi acknowledged the internal doubts that emerged as he questioned whether he had prepared sufficiently. He explained,
“There’s 600 people there that have put so much work and effort in, who’ve toiled and waited and not seen their families, and then you need to come in and put a layer onto the cake.”
The actor admitted that he constantly wrestles with feeling like an impostor, stating,
“There is a pressure that you’re not going to be what people want you to be. There will probably always be an imposter element to acting for me, just because I dreamt about it so intensely that it almost feels like it couldn’t have happened.”
The Off-Screen Bond Between Elordi and Robbie
The intense connection between Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie has extended beyond the screen, capturing attention during promotions. Earlier reports revealed Margot gifted Elordi a distinctive matchet signet ring engraved with two skeletons embracing and the phrase,
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
Jacob disclosed their shared fascination with one another during filming, confessing a desire to stay physically close to Margot throughout their time on set. He said,
“I think the thing is, regardless of plot or screenplay, if you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you’re going to make sure you’re within 5 to 10 meters at all times.”
Delving into the small details of her habits, Elordi added,
“Watching how she drinks tea, how she eats her food, how she does it. When is it going to slip? When is the thing going to come undone? And, it never comes undone.”
Criticism and Accusations of Overhyped Promotion
Despite their chemistry and close relationship, the pair have faced backlash from fans who view their public displays as a tactic to boost film interest. Several commentators accused Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie of performing a “lame” publicity stunt, likening their approach to the promotional campaign led by Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell for the film Anyone But You.
One critic wrote,
“They are going way too hard with this film promotion. This is exactly like Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell. It’s all marketing,”
while another added,
“Overdoing it to sell their chemistry.”
Skeptics argued that such tactics would be unnecessary if Wuthering Heights were genuinely strong on its own merits.
There was also commentary focused on the optics of their public interaction, with one blunt reply stating,
“Super creepy to say when you’re married.”
This likely refers to Margot Robbie’s offhand comment during the film’s Los Angeles premiere, where she mentioned going to see the movie with her “husband… or whoever.” Fans quickly responded with humorous and suspicious remarks about the nature of her marriage with Tom Ackerley, her husband.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Valentine’s Day Release
Jacob Elordi will appear on the cover of Esquire UK’s March/April issue, which is set to be available on February 18, shortly after the film’s launch. Despite mixed reactions to their promotional efforts, the release of Wuthering Heights is highly awaited, especially given the star power of Margot Robbie and the passion both leads have expressed for the project.
The film’s premiere and subsequent reception will likely determine if the intense buildup and public interest translate into critical and commercial success. Observers will be watching closely to see if the performances affirm the high expectations or if the pushy marketing overshadows the artistic merit.
