Kim Novak Thinks Sydney Sweeney Casting in ‘Scandalous!’ Isn’t Right for the Role
Colman Domingo is gearing up for his directorial debut with the film Scandalous!, which traces the complex relationship between actress Kim Novak and entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. in 1957. However, Novak has expressed significant concerns regarding the portrayal of her life, especially regarding the casting of Sydney Sweeney.
The two-time Golden Globe-winning actress has indicated that she “would never have approved” of Sweeney in the role, emphasizing her discomfort with the portrayal. She remarked that Sweeney “sticks out so much above the waist,” suggesting a disconnect in how she perceives the character’s representation.
Novak believes the film may overly emphasize the sexual aspects of their relationship, despite the strong emotional connection she shared with Davis, who will be played by David Jonsson. In an interview with The Times, she stated, “There’s no way it wouldn’t be a sexual relationship because Sydney Sweeney looks sexy all the time. She was totally wrong to play me.”
Offering her perspective as a veteran actress, Novak shared insight into the craft, saying, “You can’t learn to be vulnerable. It’s a big asset to be a bipolar actor. No one feels joy or pain as much as someone who’s bipolar. The feelings are unstoppable.” Novak publicly revealed her bipolar diagnosis in 2013.
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Domingo elaborated on the film’s focus, stating, “And then hopefully we’ll make a beautiful, sweet film that’s really about the possibility of love, but under many eyes, trying to have privacy, trying to have love, trying to have a life. And I think it’s something that Sydney and I both know very well. We’re trying to advocate for your humanity again in your life.”
Novak, renowned for her role in Vertigo, and Davis, a prominent member of the Rat Pack, were at the height of their fame when they met on The Steve Allen Show in 1956. Their intense romance faced challenges from the racial prejudices of the time. Novak dealt with backlash from Harry Cohn, the head of Columbia Pictures, as their secret affair became public following a gossip columnist’s revelations in early 1958, which included details of their plans to marry, even as they denied the rumors. Just nine days later, Davis married a Black chorus girl, Loray White.
