Kim Novak Voices Strong Opposition to Sydney Sweeney Portrayal
Silver screen icon Kim Novak has declared she "would never have approved" Sydney Sweeney playing her in an upcoming biographical film. The 93-year-old Vertigo star made the comments in a recent interview with The Times of London, expressing significant reservations about the casting choice for Colman Domingo's directorial debut, Scandalous!
Concerns Over Sexualisation and Authenticity
Novak specifically criticised Sweeney's perceived sexual image, stating "There's no way it wouldn't be a sexual relationship because Sydney Sweeney looks sexy all the time." She elaborated that Sweeney "sticks out so much above the waist" and was "totally wrong to play me." The Hollywood legend emphasised that her 1957 relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. was based on shared experiences and mutual understanding rather than primarily physical attraction.
"I don't think the relationship was scandalous," Novak previously told The Guardian, taking issue with the film's title. "He's somebody I really cared about. We had so much in common, including that need to be accepted for who we are and what we do, rather than how we look."
Project Background and Current Status
The film Scandalous! was set to explore the clandestine affair between Novak and Davis Jr. during Hollywood's Golden Age, when interracial relationships faced severe social and professional consequences. British actor David Jonsson had been cast to play Davis Jr., while Sweeney was to portray Novak in what would have been Colman Domingo's first feature film as director.
However, progress on the production appears to have stalled, with no recent updates about filming schedules or production timelines. The project was co-produced by Sweeney herself, who expressed enthusiasm about the role last year.
Sweeney's Previous Comments and Response
In 2025, Sweeney told People magazine about her excitement for the project: "I'm incredibly honored to be bringing Kim to life. I mean, she is such an amazing actress. 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."
Sweeney added that she related to Novak's experiences in multiple ways and planned to "turn my brain into Kim" after completing work on Euphoria. The Independent has contacted Sweeney's representatives for comment regarding Novak's recent criticisms, but no response has been received at this time.
Historical Context of the Novak-Davis Relationship
The affair between Novak and Davis Jr. occurred during a period of intense racial segregation in America, making their relationship particularly controversial. Columbia Pictures boss Harry Cohn, who had Novak under contract, reportedly threatened Davis Jr. with mob violence, insisting the relationship would be "bad for business" if Novak were involved with a Black man.
The relationship gained national attention in early 1958 when a Chicago gossip columnist published detailed accounts, including alleged wedding plans that both parties denied. Shortly after the news spread, Davis married Black woman Loray White within nine days, while Novak later married white actor Richard Johnson in 1965.
Director's Vision for the Film
Colman Domingo has described Scandalous! as a "beautiful, sweet film that's really about the possibility of love, but under many eyes." He explained the project would explore "trying to have privacy, trying to have love, trying to have a life" in the public eye, noting that both he and Sweeney understood these pressures from personal experience.
The director emphasised the film would advocate for "your humanity again in your life," suggesting a focus on the personal dimensions of the historical relationship rather than sensational aspects. Despite Novak's objections and the apparent production delays, Domingo's vision for the film remains focused on the human elements of this complex Hollywood story.
