Jacob Elordi Takes Break from Wuthering Heights Promo for Frankenstein Event
While his sizzling on-screen chemistry with co-star Margot Robbie has been dominating entertainment headlines recently, Jacob Elordi stepped away from the Wuthering Heights promotional trail this past Saturday. The 28-year-old actor instead attended a special question-and-answer session for his critically acclaimed previous film, Frankenstein, held at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.
A Warm Welcome from Adoring Fans
The Australian star was greeted by a crowd of enthusiastic fans gathered outside the theatre, flashing his signature wide smile as he arrived. Elordi looked characteristically handsome in a stylish tan trench coat, complemented by burgundy leather loafers and a pair of red-tinted sunglasses as he made his way inside for the event.
Acclaimed Role in Guillermo del Toro's Adaptation
In Guillermo del Toro's Netflix adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic 1818 Gothic novel, Elordi portrayed the iconic Creature brought back to life by scientist Victor Frankenstein, played by Oscar Isaac. Released in November, the film has received widespread critical praise and has been nominated for an impressive nine Academy Awards next month, including categories for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Elordi's powerful performance as the Creature has earned him a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, where he will compete against notable actors including Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Delroy Lindo, and Stellan Skarsgård. Although he narrowly missed winning the Golden Globe to Skarsgård, Elordi recently took home the Critics Choice Award and is also nominated in the same category at the upcoming BAFTA awards.
Director's High Praise for Demanding Role
Director Guillermo del Toro has publicly praised Elordi's work in the film, describing it to E! News as 'heartbreaking and beautiful'. Del Toro elaborated on the physical demands of the role, noting, 'It’s a really naked performance—emotionally so close to innocence that it breaks your heart. He took around 10 hours every day and about 42 pieces of makeup, prosthetics. And then he would have to work... he did it all with grace and patience and love.'
Transition to Wuthering Heights Press Tour
Fresh from the success of this science-fiction horror film, Elordi immediately transitioned to the promotional campaign for his upcoming project, Wuthering Heights. In Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel, he stars opposite Margot Robbie, 35, portraying the iconic literary lovers Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.
The two leading stars have displayed remarkable chemistry during their recent red carpet appearances, sparking considerable media attention. Some observers have even suggested their promotional approach mirrors what they describe as Sydney Sweeney's 'PR playbook', referencing the cozy displays Sweeney shared with co-star Glen Powell while promoting their film Anyone But You in 2023.
Revealing Comments About On-Set Dynamic
Elordi himself raised eyebrows during a recent press interview when he declared that he and Robbie shared a 'mutual obsession' while filming Wuthering Heights. Speaking to Fandango with Robbie nearby, he revealed he made sure to remain within five to ten meters of the Barbie star at all times on set.
'If you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you're going to make sure you're within five to ten metres at all times,' Elordi explained. 'Watching how she drinks tea, how she eats her food. When is it going to slip? And it never comes undone.'
He suggested this mutual fascination helped them embody their characters more authentically, adding, 'There'd be a moment where we'd be running hand-in-hand through the moors, maybe not even in the scene, just setting it up, where I'd look across at her and she'd be looking at me and you really realized you are looking at Catherine and she was looking at Heathcliff. And in that moment, we really were a part of their love, for real.'
Robbie's Perspective on Their Working Relationship
Meanwhile, Margot Robbie has acknowledged that she became 'co-dependent' on Elordi during their time working together on the film. She confessed, 'I’m so codependent with people I work with and I love everyone so much and I’m always that person who’s so devastated when a job’s over and I never want it to end. I think I developed that quite quickly with Jacob too.'
Robbie further revealed she grew so accustomed to the Saltburn star's presence that when he wasn't around, she felt 'really unnerved and unmoored', comparing the sensation to 'a kid without their blanket or something'.
Thoughtful Gestures and Commemorative Tokens
The Oscar-nominated actress also shared a touching anecdote about a thoughtful gesture Elordi made when they filmed over Valentine's Day last year. She recalled, 'We were shooting on Valentine’s Day. You made my day and, as Heathcliff, filled my room with roses. I remember thinking on Valentine’s Day, oh he’s probably a very good boyfriend, ’cause there’s a lot of thoughtfulness in this. You did a lot of very thoughtful things.'
In a further testament to their close working relationship, it was revealed on Wednesday that Robbie and Elordi had matching signet rings specially made to commemorate their time together on Wuthering Heights. Each ring features an image of two skeletons embracing, accompanied by the poignant inscription: 'Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.'
