Kim Novak spoke out against Sydney SweeneyIt is 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 direction of the film, expressing concern that it might overemphasize the physical aspects of their relationship due to Sweeney’s “sexy” character.
The film, which will be directed by Colman Domingois currently in development, with Sydney Sweeney as Novak and David Jonsson set to play Davis Jr.
Kim Novak slams Sydney Sweeney role in ‘scandalous’ biopic
Kim Novak sharply criticized the casting of Sydney Sweeney in the upcoming biopic “Scandalous.”
In an interview with The Times of Londonthe 93-year-old film legend made it clear she didn’t support the casting choice, calling Sweeney “totally wrong” for the role and saying she never would have approved of it.
Novak also appeared to criticize Sweeney’s physical image, suggesting that it doesn’t match how she saw herself during her years in Hollywood, adding that the “Euphoria” star “hangs out so much above the waist.”
Beyond concerns about casting, Novak expressed concern about how the story might be portrayed on screen.
She worries that the film will rely too much on the physical aspects of her relationship with Davis Jr., rather than focusing on the deeper bond they shared.
According to Novak, “There’s no way it wasn’t a sexual relationship because Sydney Sweeney looks hot all the time. She was totally wrong to play me.”
Kim Novak reflects on the racism that ended her relationship with Sammy Davis Jr.
“Scandalous,” first reported to be in development in October 2024, is set to mark the directorial debut of Colman Domingo, starring Sweeney as Novak and David Jonsson as Davis Jr.
The film aims to trace their relationship, which took place at a time when interracial romance in Hollywood was met with intense prejudice and public backlash.
Reflecting on this period, Novak described the hostility Davis Jr. faced because of his race, recalling troubling incidents and the discrimination that ultimately drove them apart.
“Because of the color of his skin, people did terrible things,” Novak said, recalling an example of people giving him beer containing urine.
When studio executives discovered this relationship in 1957, they intervened for fear 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 planned while dating Sammy Davis Jr.
Novak also pushed back against long-standing rumors that marriage was on the table, clarifying that while she cared deeply for Davis Jr., she had no intention of marrying anyone at the time.
His reservations about the film are not new. In a previous interview with The guardianNovak criticized the project’s title, arguing that their relationship should not be called “scandalous.”
“He was someone I really cared about,” she said. “We had so much in common, including the fact that we should be accepted for who we are and what we do, rather than how we look.”
“But I’m afraid they’re just going to do it for sexual reasons,” Novak added.
Sydney Sweeney is ‘honored’ to take Kim Novak’s place
Despite Novak’s strong objections to his casting, Sweeney fully embraced the role.
She previously shared that she felt “incredibly honored” to play the actress and that Novak’s experiences with fame, public scrutiny and control of her image still resonate today.
Sweeney added that she personally “identifies” with 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 Journalist‘s “Awards Chatter” podcast with Scott Feinberg.
As the film’s lead and producer, she explained that although several directors were initially considered, she ultimately believed the story required a distinct point of view. According to her, 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 contacted Domingo directly and told him, “Hey, I don’t even know if you want to direct, but there’s a script I’d really like to send you. And if you like it, it’s yours. If not, I won’t be offended.”
Domingo responded almost immediately, telling him it was a perfect fit for the kind of project he was hoping to find.
Since then, the two have worked together to develop the film and secure financing, a process Sweeney described as a true “labor of love.”
When asked if she had personally met Novak, Sweeney did not give a clear answer, but noted that Domingo had built a strong bond with the Hollywood icon.
She says the two are in contact, a relationship she has helped facilitate as the project continues to take shape.