Director Emerald Fennell Reveals Movies That Inspired Her 'Wuthering Heights' Adaptation

From Baz Luhrmann's 'Romeo + Juliet' to Martin Scorsese's 'The Age of Innocence', the filmmaker discusses the cinematic influences behind her take on the Emily Brontë classic.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Emerald Fennell, the director behind the upcoming film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, has opened up about the wide range of movies that informed her creative approach to the classic Gothic romance. In a podcast interview, Fennell discussed how films like Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, James Cameron's Titanic, and Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula shaped elements of her own interpretation of Emily Brontë's novel, which stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

Why it matters

Fennell's revelations about her cinematic inspirations provide insight into how she aims to bring a fresh perspective to the well-known Wuthering Heights story, blending classic Gothic elements with a modern sensibility. Her comments also highlight the enduring influence of iconic films like Romeo + Juliet and Titanic, which continue to shape the creative visions of contemporary filmmakers.

The details

In the interview, Fennell discussed how Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet and James Cameron's Titanic were particularly transformative for her as a young viewer, praising their ability to make classic stories feel vibrant and accessible. She also cited Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula and Mel Brooks' Dracula: Dead and Loving It as influences, noting the importance of embracing the Gothic genre's inherent humor and camp. Additionally, Fennell drew parallels between the romantic leads in her film and the work of actors like Daniel Day-Lewis in Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence.

  • Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation is set to be released in 2026.

The players

Emerald Fennell

The 40-year-old director behind the upcoming film adaptation of Wuthering Heights.

Margot Robbie

The actress who will star as Catherine Earnshaw in Fennell's Wuthering Heights.

Jacob Elordi

The actor who will play the role of Heathcliff in Fennell's Wuthering Heights.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Like any young woman, I would say those movies were completely transformative—not just because of my lifelong, truly psychotic love of Leonardo DiCaprio in those films—but because they were disruptive.”

— Emerald Fennell, Director (Happy Sad Confused* podcast)

“Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet was so audacious and beautiful, and it felt young. It felt like something I could connect to. And he was using Shakespeare's actual words.”

— Emerald Fennell, Director (Happy Sad Confused* podcast)

“Titanic, which could have been an action movie—and in many ways is an action movie—turned out to be the most moving film about being in love. It just so happened to have an enormous iceberg in it.”

— Emerald Fennell, Director (Happy Sad Confused* podcast)

What’s next

Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation is expected to premiere at major film festivals in 2026 before a wider theatrical release.

The takeaway

Fennell's openness about the diverse cinematic influences behind her Wuthering Heights adaptation suggests she is aiming to craft a visually striking and emotionally resonant take on the classic Gothic romance, drawing on both the timeless appeal of films like Romeo + Juliet and Titanic, as well as the heightened sensibilities of the Gothic genre.