Director Emerald Fennell has set ambitious goals for her upcoming adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, hoping the film will achieve cultural impact comparable to Titanic for modern audiences.
Grand Ambitions for Epic Romance
Speaking to British Vogue, star Margot Robbie revealed Fennell’s vision: “I want this to be this generation’s Titanic.” The director referenced watching Romeo & Juliet eight times in theaters, hoping to inspire similar enthusiasm among viewers for the Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi starrer.
The team envisions audiences attending with friends and positioning it as an ideal date movie, scheduled strategically for Valentine’s Day 2026.
Addressing Trailer Reactions
The film’s trailer sparked conversations after revealing intimate scenes between the leads. However, Robbie clarified expectations: “Everyone’s expecting this to be very, very raunchy. I think people will be surprised.”
She emphasized the adaptation leans more romantic than explicit. “Not to say there aren’t sexual elements and that it’s not provocative – it definitely is provocative – but it’s more romantic than provocative.”
Robbie described Wuthering Heights as “a big epic romance,” noting audiences haven’t experienced such stories since films like The Notebook and The English Patient. She praised Fennell’s directorial ability to craft scenes that provoke visceral emotional responses, calling it her “superpower.”
The adaptation of Brontë’s 1847 literary classic promises to revive the grand romantic drama genre that has largely disappeared from contemporary cinema. With two bankable stars, a visionary director, and strategic Valentine’s Day positioning, Wuthering Heights aims to become a generational touchstone when it releases in February 2026.
