Kim Novak Criticizes Sydney Sweeney's Casting as Too 'Sultry' in Scandalous Biopic

The Vertigo star says the Euphoria actress is 'totally wrong' to portray her in the upcoming film about her 1950s romance with Sammy Davis Jr.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 6:52am

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Legendary actress Kim Novak has publicly stated that Sydney Sweeney is the wrong choice to portray her in the upcoming biopic Scandalous. The 93-year-old Hollywood icon expressed concern that the film will emphasize a sexualized version of her brief 1957 romance with entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. rather than the deeper connection they shared. Novak said she 'would never have approved' the project and specifically noted Sweeney's appearance, saying the Euphoria actress 'looks sexy all the time' and was 'totally wrong' for the role.

Why it matters

Novak's comments highlight the ongoing debate around the portrayal of historical figures, especially women, in biopics. As a major Hollywood star of the 1950s, Novak faced intense scrutiny and pressure to maintain a specific public image, which she has spoken about struggling with. The Scandalous biopic aims to explore this dynamic, but Novak's criticism suggests the filmmakers may be missing the mark in their approach.

The details

The Scandalous biopic will explore Novak and Davis' clandestine 1957 interracial romance, set against the racial tensions and studio system control of 1950s Hollywood. The narrative will focus on their 'fractured love story' and the challenges they encountered, including interference from powerful executives like Harry Cohn who sought to end the relationship to protect Novak's box-office appeal. The project marks the feature directorial debut of Colman Domingo, who is also Sweeney's co-star in Euphoria. British actor David Jonsson is cast as Sammy Davis Jr., and Matthew Fantaci wrote the script.

  • In March 2026, Kim Novak publicly criticized the casting of Sydney Sweeney as 'totally wrong' for the role.
  • The Scandalous biopic remains in development with no confirmed filming start date as of March 2026.

The players

Kim Novak

A legendary Hollywood actress who rose to prominence in the 1950s, known for standout performances in films like Vertigo. Now 93 years old, she has spoken openly about her career and personal experiences, including a bipolar diagnosis.

Sydney Sweeney

A rising young actress known for her versatile performances, including her acclaimed role as Cassie Howard in HBO's Euphoria. She has expressed enthusiasm about portraying Novak in the Scandalous biopic.

Sammy Davis Jr.

A renowned entertainer who had a brief, highly publicized romance with Kim Novak in 1957, which faced pressure and interference from Hollywood studios.

Harry Cohn

The powerful boss of Columbia Pictures, who reportedly threatened Sammy Davis Jr. with mob violence in an effort to end his relationship with Kim Novak.

Colman Domingo

The feature directorial debut of the actor, who is also Sweeney's co-star in Euphoria. He has said the film will be 'about the possibility of love, but under many eyes, trying to have privacy.'

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What they’re 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.”

— Kim Novak

“I don't think the relationship was scandalous. 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. But I'm concerned they're going to make it all sexual reasons.”

— Kim Novak

“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. And I think that for me, I relate to it in a lot of different ways.”

— Sydney Sweeney

What’s next

Production on the Scandalous biopic remains in development, with no confirmed filming start date as of March 2026. The project is still generating international sales interest, and fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on the casting and production timeline.

The takeaway

Kim Novak's criticism of Sydney Sweeney's casting highlights the ongoing challenges in portraying historical figures, especially women, in biopics. Novak's concerns about the film emphasizing a sexualized version of her relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. rather than their deeper connection reflect the industry's long history of objectifying and controlling the public image of female stars. The Scandalous biopic will need to navigate these complex issues carefully to do justice to Novak's story.