Kim Novak slams Sydney Sweeney casting, says she’s ‘completely wrong’ for the role

Kim Novak has publicly criticized Sydney Sweeney’s casting in Scandalous!, the upcoming film about Novak’s 1950s relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. In a recent interview, the 93-year-old Vertigo star said she would never have approved Sweeney playing her.

At the center of Novak’s concern is how her deeply personal relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. will be depicted. She fears the film may lean into sensationalism rather than offering a grounded and respectful portrayal of her life experiences.

Here is everything you need to know about the controversy surrounding Scandalous!.

Why does Kim Novak oppose the casting?

Kim Novak has openly criticized the casting of Sydney Sweeney, saying she was “totally wrong” for the role. Novak said she worries the film would emphasize sex appeal rather than the deeper connection she says she shared with Sammy Davis Jr.

Novak said Sweeney’s image could push the film toward a more sexual interpretation of the story. She has said her relationship with Davis was rooted in what they had in common, not in scandal or surface appeal.

The project, titled Scandalous!, is expected to focus on Novak’s relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. during the late 1950s. Novak has expressed unease with the framing itself, particularly the title, which she feels reduces a meaningful and difficult chapter of her life into something overly simplified.

She described their relationship as one shaped by shared challenges, including intense public scrutiny and systemic racism. For Novak, the story is not about controversy for its own sake, but about two people navigating a harsh and unforgiving environment.

How has Sydney Sweeney responded to the criticism?

Sydney Sweeney has not directly responded to Novak’s latest comments. However, prior to the backlash, she spoke enthusiastically about taking on the role and what it meant to her as an actress.

In earlier interviews, Sweeney said she felt “honored” to portray Novak and was eager to introduce her story to a new generation. She also noted that she connected with Novak’s experiences of navigating Hollywood pressures and maintaining control over one’s image.

Beyond acting, Sweeney is attached to Scandalous! as both its star and a producer. She has reportedly spent time researching the era and Novak’s career, aiming to better understand the context in which the story unfolds.

Sweeney has not publicly responded to Novak’s latest criticism. Engaging in a public back-and-forth with a legendary figure like Novak could risk escalating tensions, and sources indicate she remains focused on the work itself.

Sweeney’s past work includes an Emmy-nominated performance in The White Lotus, and her lead turn in Reality drew strong reviews, underscoring that her screen work extends beyond her public image.

Fun fact: Sydney Sweeney is also known for her hands-on hobbies and restored a 1969 Ford Bronco herself, documenting the process online and surprising fans with her mechanical skills.

What is the true story behind the “Scandalous” romance?

The film aims to explore Novak’s relationship with Sammy Davis Jr., a romance that faced intense backlash at the time. In 1957, their relationship drew widespread attention and hostility, particularly due to racial tensions in the United States.

Studio interference played a major role in how events unfolded. Columbia Pictures head Harry Cohn was reportedly concerned about the potential fallout and its impact on the studio’s business. Historical accounts suggest that pressure was placed on both actors, ultimately leading to the end of their relationship.

Novak has spoken in the past about the challenges Davis Jr. faced, including deeply troubling incidents rooted in racism. These experiences left a lasting impact on both of them and are central to understanding the significance of their story.

Her current concern is that these realities may not be given the weight they deserve in the film. She wants the focus to remain on the emotional and historical context, rather than reducing the story to surface-level drama.

Will the project still move forward?

Scandalous! remains in development with Colman Domingo attached to direct. The film was announced as Domingo’s feature directorial debut, with Sydney Sweeney set to play Novak and David Jonsson set to play Sammy Davis Jr.

David Jonsson is attached to play Sammy Davis Jr., and Sweeney said in late 2025 that she planned to turn her focus to Scandalous! after finishing work on Euphoria. As of the latest coverage, the film had not yet begun production.

Novak has made clear that she does not support Sweeney’s casting and has objected to both the film’s title and its possible framing. Her comments have intensified scrutiny of how Scandalous! will portray the relationship and the racial pressures surrounding it.

Novak’s criticism has brought renewed attention to the project and sharpened focus on how the film will handle her story.

For Sweeney, Scandalous! would place her at the center of a high-profile film about one of Hollywood’s most discussed relationships. For Novak, the central issue remains whether the film reflects the relationship as she remembers it.

TL;DR

• Kim Novak has criticized Sydney Sweeney’s casting in Scandalous!
• She believes the casting does not fit the way her relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. should be portrayed.
• The film focuses on her relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. and the challenges they faced
• Novak is concerned that the story may be oversimplified rather than treated with care
• Sydney Sweeney remains attached and has not publicly responded to the criticism

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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