Margot Robbie Shares How Jacob Elordi Stunned Her on Set

Margot Robbie recently reflected on her time working alongside Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights, recalling a particular moment during filming that caught her completely off guard. The film, inspired by one of literature’s most iconic love stories, features more than just steamy scenes—according to Robbie, the intensity between the leads goes far beyond the obvious.

Unexpected On-Set Chemistry

One scene in particular left a lasting impression on Robbie. Elordi, playing Heathcliff, effortlessly lifted her character, Cathy, with just one arm. The move had a real impact on Robbie, who admitted it left her physically shaken.

It almost made me weak at the knees,

she confessed, describing the electric energy that filled the set during that take.

While the chemistry between the two stars is clear in the film’s trailers, both Robbie and Elordi have faced criticism for not matching the original descriptions of their characters. Robbie, who stars as Cathy, finally addressed the ongoing debate about the casting choices and the creative direction of the adaptation.

Addressing Casting Controversy

Fennell’s version of Cathy isn’t a direct copy of Emily Brontë’s original character. Some fans have voiced disappointment over changes, such as Cathy’s age and appearance. Elordi’s casting as Heathcliff has also sparked discussion, since the character is described as a person of color in the novel. Robbie responded to these concerns, saying,

there’s nothing else to go off at this point until people see the movie

and explained that Cathy is portrayed as being in her mid-20s to early 30s in this adaptation. As for Elordi, Robbie simply stated,

I saw him play Heathcliff. And he is Heathcliff.

She encouraged viewers to reserve judgment until they’ve seen the film, drawing a comparison to the skepticism that surrounded Barbie before its release.

I’d say, just wait. Trust me, you’ll be happy… Everyone was like, ‘Well, [Barbie] did well because of course it was going to.’ And I’m like… ‘This was not the conversation at the time’. I try to remind myself of that with Wuthering too. You have to just not listen to the noise and trust that the thing you’re putting out is what people will be happy to have.

A Return to Grand Romantic Epics

Robbie also spoke about the rarity of large-scale romantic dramas in today’s Hollywood, where big-budget franchises and established properties dominate. She pointed out that it’s been years since a sweeping love story like Wuthering Heights has taken center stage, noting that other genres like buddy comedies and rom-coms have also faded from the spotlight in recent years.

While some expect the film to be bold and provocative, Robbie emphasized that the story is ultimately a grand romance.

Everyone’s expecting this to be very, very raunchy. I think people will be surprised. Not to say there aren’t s-0xual elements and that it’s not provocative – it definitely is provocative – but it’s more romantic than provocative. This is a big epic romance. It’s just been so long since we’ve had one – maybe The Notebook, also The English Patient. You have to go back decades.

With Warner Bros. backing more original projects in 2025, Robbie hopes the success of Wuthering Heights will inspire other studios to take similar creative risks. The film is set to premiere in the U.S. on February 13, 2026.