Hollywood legend Kim Novak has publicly voiced her disapproval of Sydney Sweeney portraying her in the upcoming biopic Scandalous!. In a candid interview published on Friday, 27 March 2026, the 93-year-old Vertigo star described the casting of the 28-year-old Euphoria actress as “totally wrong.” Novak revealed that she would never have approved of the decision, which sees Sweeney taking on the lead role in a film documenting Novak’s high-profile 1950s romance with musician Sammy Davis Jr.
The veteran actress expressed specific concerns regarding Sweeney’s physical appearance and public image, suggesting the younger star “sticks out so much above the waist” and possesses a constant “sexy” aura that might misrepresent the nature of the historical relationship. Novak argued that her bond with Davis, who is set to be played by David Jonsson, was rooted in their shared experiences as outsiders in Hollywood rather than being purely driven by the “sexual” component she fears the film will emphasise.
Despite Novak’s sharp criticism, Sweeney has previously spoken with immense enthusiasm about the project, which marks the directorial debut of her Euphoria co-star Colman Domingo. Speaking at a film premiere in late 2025, Sweeney stated she felt “incredibly honoured” to bring Novak’s story to life, noting that she found the icon’s struggle with Hollywood scrutiny and image control deeply relatable in the modern era. Sweeney had even planned to meet Novak personally to prepare for the role after wrapping production on her hit HBO series.
Novak’s apprehension also extends to the title of the film itself, as she told The Guardian in 2025 that she did not view her relationship with Davis as “scandalous” in a negative sense. History suggests the romance ended due to severe external pressure, including alleged threats from Columbia Pictures head Harry Cohn. Novak recently confirmed these rumours were true, admitting that while she cared for Davis deeply, the intense institutional racism and mob-related threats of the 1950s made their situation untenable.
While representatives for Sweeney have yet to comment on Novak’s recent remarks, the public rift highlights the mechanical necessity of balancing historical accuracy with modern star power in Hollywood biopics. As production on Scandalous! approaches, the industry is watching to see if the creative team will address Novak’s concerns regarding the portrayal of her private life. For now, the legendary actress remains focused on her own narrative, recently promoting her revealing documentary, Kim Novak’s Vertigo.
