Emerald Fennell Shares Regret Over Cutting Margot Robbie’s Hairy Armpits From ‘Wuthering Heights’

Emerald Fennell recently discussed her fresh take on ‘Wuthering Heights’, revealing that some of her envisioned details did not make it to the final cut. This insight comes from The Guardian’s coverage of her remarks at the Hay Festival in Wales.

Fennell expressed her desire to make the film feel more authentic through subtle yet impactful choices. One such idea revolved around body hair, as she often finds herself distracted by the overly modern appearance of women in period films, particularly when they have completely smooth armpits. She provocatively questioned, “Where are the razors that these women are using?”, as reported by The Guardian.

With this perspective in mind, she aimed for Margot Robbie’s character, Catherine Earnshaw, to showcase noticeable armpit hair, aligning with the realities of life in the late 1700s. Fennell noted that this detail was crucial to her vision, yet the scene featuring it ultimately did not make the final version of the film, leaving her somewhat disappointed.

During the same discussion, Fennell elaborated on her creative process, explaining how she constructs scenes from unusual or random inspirations. She recounted a moment in the film that involves a fish in gelatin, sparked by her memory of a dish she once encountered. She shared, “I saw a fish in aspic and I thought, ‘I want to stick my finger in its mouth.’” This idea evolved from her reflections on the extreme emotional and physical frustrations depicted in the story.

She also mentioned that the production experimented with various props for that scene, trying out different types of fish, both real and artificial, before settling on a real one. Fennell acknowledged that Margot Robbie faced numerous challenges during filming, with multiple takes and setups making the process quite demanding for the cast.

The film also stars Jacob Elordi and Alison Oliver, presenting a darker and more emotionally charged retelling of Emily Brontë’s classic novel. Fennell clarified that her adaptation does not aim to replicate the book precisely but is instead influenced by her memories of reading it as a teenager and her personal interpretation of its emotional depth. She combined genuine elements from the novel with her own imaginative recollections.

In her Entertainment Weekly interview, she expressed a desire to transform the story into a lengthy miniseries if given more time, stating, “I think, really, I would do a miniseries and encompass the whole thing over 10 hours, and it would be beautiful,” while acknowledging the necessity of cuts and tough decisions in a film format.

Fennell also shared insights into her overall artistic style, stating her preference for pushing boundaries, even if it feels awkward or “cringe.” She believes that modern culture often shies away from discomfort, which can lead to more honest and engaging art.

The film has also sparked discussions regarding its casting choices, with some fans expressing concerns about Margot Robbie’s age for the role, igniting debates online even before its release. This conversation has continued as audiences react to the film’s creative direction and casting decisions.

Ultimately, Fennell’s interpretation of ‘Wuthering Heights’ is characterized by bold choices, personal insights, and scenes that underwent significant changes during editing.

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