Kim Novak Voices Strong Opposition to Sydney Sweeney Portrayal
Silver screen icon Kim Novak has publicly declared she "would never have approved" Sydney Sweeney playing her in an upcoming biographical film. The 93-year-old Vertigo star made these comments in a recent interview with The Times of London, directly criticising the casting choice for Colman Domingo's directorial debut, Scandalous!
Concerns Over Sexualised Depiction
Novak expressed significant concerns that the film would overemphasise the sexual aspects of her 1957 relationship with entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., rather than focusing on their genuine connection. "There's no way it wouldn't be a sexual relationship because Sydney Sweeney looks sexy all the time," Novak stated bluntly. "She was totally wrong to play me."
The Hollywood legend elaborated that her attraction to Davis Jr. was based on shared experiences and mutual understanding, not primarily physical chemistry. "We had so much in common," Novak explained, "including that need to be accepted for who we are and what we do, rather than how we look."
Project Progress and Casting Details
The film project, which appears to have stalled in development, would have featured:
- Sydney Sweeney as Kim Novak
- David Jonsson as Sammy Davis Jr.
- Colman Domingo as director making his feature film debut
Novak specifically criticised Sweeney's physical appearance for the role, noting the younger actress "sticks out so much above the waist" in a manner she found inappropriate for portraying her character authentically.
Sweeney's Previous Enthusiasm for the Role
Before Novak's comments emerged, Sweeney had expressed considerable excitement about the project. In an interview with People magazine last year, the 28-year-old Euphoria star said: "I'm incredibly honored to be bringing Kim to life. I mean, she is such an amazing actress."
Sweeney had drawn parallels between Novak's experiences and her own career, noting: "I think her story is still very relevant today in that she dealt with Hollywood and scrutiny with her relationships and her own private life and the control of her image. And I think that for me, I relate to it in a lot of different ways."
Historical Context of the Novak-Davis Relationship
The film would explore one of Hollywood's most controversial interracial relationships during the Jim Crow era. Novak and Davis Jr. conducted a clandestine affair at the height of their careers in 1957, facing tremendous social and professional pressure.
The relationship faced explicit threats from Columbia Pictures boss Harry Cohn, who warned Davis Jr. of potential mob violence, claiming Novak's involvement with a Black man would be "bad for business." Their romance became national news when a Chicago gossip columnist published detailed accounts in early 1958, including unsubstantiated claims about wedding plans.
Following the media frenzy, Davis Jr. married Black actress Loray White just nine days after the story broke, while Novak eventually married white actor Richard Johnson in 1965.
Director's Vision Versus Subject's Perspective
Director Colman Domingo has described Scandalous! as "a beautiful, sweet film that's really about the possibility of love, but under many eyes." He emphasised themes of privacy and humanity, stating the film would explore "trying to have privacy, trying to have love, trying to have a life."
However, Novak has taken issue with the project's title itself, previously telling The Guardian: "I don't think the relationship was scandalous. He's somebody I really cared about." This fundamental disagreement about how to frame their historical relationship now extends to casting decisions, creating significant tension around the stalled production.
The Independent has contacted representatives for Sydney Sweeney seeking comment on Novak's criticisms, but no response has been received at this time.
