Kim Novak has spoken out against Sydney Sweeney‘s casting in “Scandalous,” a biopic about her past romance with Sammy Davis Jr.
Calling the choice “totally wrong,” she questioned both the portrayal and the film’s focus, expressing concern that it may overemphasize the physical aspects of their relationship because of how “sexy” Sweeney is.
The film, which will be directed by Colman Domingo, is currently in development, with Sydney Sweeney starring as Novak and David Jonsson set to play Davis Jr.
Kim Novak Criticizes Sydney Sweeney’s Role In ‘Scandalous’ Biopic
Kim Novak has strongly criticized Sydney Sweeney’s casting in the upcoming biopic “Scandalous.”
In an interview with The Times of London, the 93-year-old screen legend made it clear she does not support the casting choice, calling Sweeney “totally wrong” for the role and stating she would never have approved it.
Novak also appeared to critique Sweeney’s physical image, suggesting it does not align with how she saw herself during her Hollywood years, adding that the “Euphoria” star “sticks out so much above the waist.”
Beyond casting concerns, Novak expressed concern about how the story might be portrayed on screen.
She fears the film could lean too heavily into the physical aspects of her relationship with Davis Jr., rather than focusing on the deeper connection they shared.
According to Novak, “There’s no way it wouldn’t be a sexual relationship because Sydney Sweeney looks sexy all the time. She was totally wrong to play me.”
Kim Novak Reflects On Racism That Ended Romance With Sammy Davis Jr.
“Scandalous,” first reported to be in development in October 2024, is set to mark the directorial debut of Colman Domingo, with Sweeney cast as Novak and David Jonsson portraying Davis Jr.
The film aims to chronicle their relationship, which unfolded at a time when interracial romance in Hollywood was met with intense prejudice and public backlash.
Reflecting on that period, Novak described the hostility Davis Jr. faced because of his race, recalling disturbing incidents and the discrimination that ultimately forced them apart.
“Because of the color of his skin, people did terrible things,” Novak shared, recalling an example of people giving him beer with urine in it.
When studio executives discovered the relationship in 1957, they intervened out of fear that it would damage the studio’s reputation.
According to Novak and other reports, Columbia Pictures head Harry Cohn allegedly pressured Davis Jr. to end the relationship, even threatening mob violence if he did not comply.
Kim Novak Says Marriage Was Never The Plan In Romance With Sammy Davis Jr.
Novak also pushed back against long-standing rumors that marriage had been on the table, clarifying that while she cared deeply for Davis Jr., she had no intention of marrying anybody at the time.
Her reservations about the film are not new. In a previous interview with The Guardian, Novak criticized the project’s title, arguing that their relationship should not be framed as “scandalous.”
“He’s somebody I really cared about,” she said. “We had so much in common, including that we need to be accepted for who we are and what we do, rather than how we look.”
“But I’m concerned they’re going to make it all sexual reasons,” Novak added.
Sydney Sweeney Is ‘Honored’ To Step Into Kim Novak’s Shoes
Despite Novak’s strong objections to her casting, Sweeney has fully embraced the role.
She previously shared that she felt “incredibly honored” to portray the actress and that Novak’s experiences navigating fame, public scrutiny, and control over her image still resonate today.
Sweeney added that she personally “relates” to Novak’s experience “in a lot of different ways.”
Last year, Sweeney also opened up about how Domingo became attached to “Scandalous” during an appearance on The Hollywood Reporter’s “Awards Chatter” podcast with Scott Feinberg.
As both the film’s lead and a producer, she explained that while several directors were initially considered, she ultimately believed the story required a distinct point of view. In her view, Domingo was the only person capable of telling it with the depth and care it deserved.
Sydney Sweeney Says Colman Domingo Has Been In Contact With Kim Novak
The “Anyone but You” star shared that she reached out to Domingo directly and was like, “Hey, I don’t know if you even want to direct, but there’s a script that I’d really love to send you. And if you like it, it’s yours. If not, I won’t be offended.”
Domingo responded almost immediately, telling her it aligned perfectly with the kind of project he had been hoping to find.
Since then, the two have been working together to develop the film and secure financing, a process Sweeney described as a true “labor of love.”
When asked whether she had personally met Novak, Sweeney didn’t give a clear answer, but noted that Domingo has built a strong connection with the Hollywood icon.
According to her, the two have been in contact, a relationship she helped facilitate as the project continues to take shape.