Kim Novak Says Sydney Sweeney Is Wrong for Scandalous Biopic

Kim Novak, the 93-year-old Vertigo actress, has publicly rejected Sydney Sweeney’s casting in the upcoming biopic Scandalous!, telling The Times on 27 March 2026 that Sweeney is “totally wrong” to play her and that she “would never have approved” the decision. The film, directed by Colman Domingo, follows Novak’s real-life 1950s romance with Sammy Davis Jr., who will be played by British actor David Jonsson.

What Kim Novak Actually Said About Sydney Sweeney

Novak’s criticism was direct and specific. Speaking to The Times, she said Sweeney “sticks out so much above the waist” — a remark she tied to a broader concern about how the film will portray her relationship with Davis.

Her core objection is not simply about looks. Novak insists the romance between herself and Davis was built on a genuine emotional connection, not physical attraction. “We had so much in common,” she told The Times, adding that their shared need to be accepted for who they are, rather than how they look, defined what they had together.

Novak went further, saying: “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.”

She also confirmed long-circulating rumours that Harry Cohn, the head of Columbia Pictures, threatened Sammy Davis Jr. with a mob hit when news of their romance broke in 1957, stating plainly, “Oh, I know it was true.” She also denied that she and Davis ever sought a marriage licence, saying: “I mean, he loved me. I cared for him deeply. But at that time I never wanted to marry anybody.”

These are not fresh grievances. In an August 2025 interview with The Guardian, Novak had already voiced concern that the film would focus on the “sexual reasons” behind the relationship rather than its emotional depth. The March 2026 interview escalates those concerns considerably.

Who Is in Scandalous! and What Is the Film About?

Scandalous! centres on the real relationship between Kim Novak and Sammy Davis Jr., a Black jazz musician and entertainment icon — during the late 1950s, a period in which interracial relationships carried serious social and professional consequences in Hollywood.

Colman Domingo, best known to UK audiences as Victor Strand in Fear the Walking Dead and for his Oscar-nominated turn in Rustin, is making his directorial debut with the film. It marks a significant step for Domingo, who has spoken publicly about the importance of telling this story with care.

David Jonsson, cast as Sammy Davis Jr., is a British actor who broke through to global audiences in Alien: Romulus (2024), a strong UK talent angle for this story. His casting adds considerable credibility to the production’s dramatic ambitions.

Sydney Sweeney, 28, is best known in the UK for her role in HBO’s Euphoria and for her recent film Christy. She has spoken enthusiastically about the role in prior interviews, telling PEOPLE magazine in October 2025 that Novak’s story “is still very relevant today” given the actress’s experience with Hollywood scrutiny and image control.

A UK release date for Scandalous! has not yet been confirmed.

The Historical Relationship at the Heart of the Story

The romance between Kim Novak and Sammy Davis Jr. was one of the most controversial in 1950s Hollywood. Novak was one of Columbia Pictures’ biggest stars at the time, and Davis was a celebrated entertainer, but their relationship drew hostile attention in an era of deep racial tension in America.

According to multiple historical accounts, Harry Cohn applied severe pressure on Davis to end the relationship. Novak’s confirmation to The Times that she believes the mob threat was real gives this film’s subject matter an added weight that goes beyond celebrity gossip.

Their relationship ended under that external pressure. Davis went on to marry actress Loray White in January 1958, a union widely regarded at the time as arranged to deflect scrutiny. Novak later married British equestrian champion Robert Malloy in 1965, before marrying veterinarian Robert Olivio in 1976, a marriage that lasted until his death in 2022.

Understanding this history matters for UK audiences approaching Scandalous!, the film is not simply a romance. It is a story about the cost of being visible in a racist industry. Whether the finished film honours that context is precisely what Novak fears it will not.

Sydney Sweeney’s Response and the Met Gala Moment

Sweeney has not responded publicly to Novak’s March 2026 remarks. Her representatives did not respond to requests for comment from PEOPLE magazine at the time of publication.

What is clear is that Sweeney has invested emotionally in the project. At the 2025 Met Gala, she wore a gown directly inspired by Novak’s iconic look, a visible tribute that suggested she takes the role seriously as a matter of craft, not just casting.

At the premiere of Christy in October 2025, she told PEOPLE: “I’m incredibly honoured to be bringing Kim to life.” She also described how she plans to “turn my brain into Kim” once she wraps Euphoria season 3.

Whether Novak’s public rejection changes anything about the production is unknown. Biopics do not legally require the subject’s approval of casting decisions, and there is no indication from the filmmakers that any recasting is under consideration.

For UK audiences watching Euphoria on Sky Atlantic and Now, Sweeney’s profile is high, and the controversy around Scandalous! is likely to generate significant interest in the film well before a release date is set.

FAQ

Q: Why does Kim Novak think Sydney Sweeney is wrong for the Scandalous biopic?

A: Kim Novak says Sydney Sweeney is “totally wrong” because Sweeney’s physical appearance means any portrayal of the relationship will read as primarily sexual. Novak insists her romance with Sammy Davis Jr. was based on emotional connection and shared experience, not attraction. She told The Times in March 2026 that she would never have approved the casting.

Q: Who is playing Sammy Davis Jr. in Scandalous?

A: British actor David Jonsson has been cast as Sammy Davis Jr. in Scandalous! Jonsson is best known internationally for his leading role in Alien: Romulus (2024). He joins Sydney Sweeney, who plays Kim Novak, in the film directed by Colman Domingo.

Q: Who is directing the Scandalous Kim Novak biopic?

A: Colman Domingo is directing Scandalous! as his feature directorial debut. Domingo is best known as an actor, having received Oscar nominations for Rustin and other roles. He is also Sydney Sweeney’s co-star in Euphoria, where he plays Ali Hassan.

Q: When is Scandalous released in the UK?

A: A UK release date for Scandalous! has not yet been officially confirmed as of March 2026. The film is still in pre-production or early production. Check BriefLedger’s Movies section for updates as they are announced.

Q: Did Kim Novak and Sammy Davis Jr. want to get married?

A: Kim Novak has denied that she and Sammy Davis Jr. ever sought a marriage licence. In her March 2026 interview with The Times, she said Davis loved her and she cared for him deeply, but she did not want to marry anyone at that point in her life. Their relationship ended under industry and social pressure in the late 1950s.

Q: Does BriefLedger cover biopic casting news for UK readers?

A: Yes. BriefLedger covers film casting news, biopic developments, and Hollywood controversies with a specific focus on UK release dates, British talent involved, and streaming availability for British audiences. Articles are written in British English and prioritise verified facts over speculation.

References

• The Times — Kim Novak interview, published 27 March 2026 — https://www.thetimes.com/article/6726dd98-4a3e-46ff-9b78-27ca5fc1e112
• PEOPLE Magazine — Sydney Sweeney casting news and Novak’s remarks — https://people.com/kim-novak-says-sydney-sweeney-is-wrong-to-play-her-in-biopic-scandalous-11936778
• The Guardian — Kim Novak interview, Venice Film Festival, August 2025 — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/aug/30/kim-novak-actor-interview-venice-lifetime-achievement-award

Editorial note: This article was human-curated and verified for accuracy by Lewis Calvert after an initial AI-assisted draft.