Wuthering Heights characters Catherine and Heathcliff may not be able to live without one another, but the upcoming film's casting director thinks fans can live without the film's lead actors looking exactly how they are described in the novel.
After receiving backlash for casting Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in the film, set to be theatrically released Feb. 13, 2026, casting director Kharmel Cochrane is speaking out in defense of the choices.
“If something is clearly written as white, for example, a script reads ‘she tied her blonde hair back,’ but there’s no specific reason for it, I will just put people on tape,” she explained during a Q&A session at the Sands Film Festival in Scotland on April 26. “And then it’s almost like I dare someone to question why I’ve done it, and they don’t. So then it just becomes normal. Years ago, I would get people saying, ‘did you read the brief?’ And I’d say yeah, and this is my interpretation of it, just like when you can read a book.”
Specific complaints regarding the casting of the film adaptation of the Emily Brontë romance novel were that Robbie, 34, was too old to play 18-year-old Catherine Earnshaw, and that Elordi's fair complexion doesn't align with Heathcliff, the foster son of the Earnshaw family, being described in the text as "dark-skinned." And some of those unhappy with the casting took their disappointment to extremes.
“There was one Instagram comment that said the casting director should be shot,” Cochrane said. “But just wait till you see it, and then you can decide whether you want to shoot me or not. But you really don’t need to be accurate. It’s just a book. That is not based on real life. It’s all art.”
Others on social media claimed that those cast look too modern to play the characters from the 1847 novel.
“No hate to Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi but neither of them have enough Psychologically Tortured vibes to play Cathy and Heathcliff,” one user wrote on X. “Like a Wuthering Heights adaptation simply needs actors who are weirder.”
Another X user writing, “While I feel that both Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie have severe cases of iPhone face I will be seated for Wuthering Heights regardless."
For more upcoming film releases, read on.
Eternity - November 26, 2025
In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Zootopia 2 - November 26, 2025
This sequel to the Oscar-winning 2016 animated hit promises a return to Animal Metropolis with familiar faces Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) along with some new characters like Gary D'Snake (Ke Huy Quan) and quokka therapist Dr Fuzzyby (Quinta Brunson).
Where to Watch: In theaters
Hamnet - November 27, 2025
Based on the award-winning 2020 novel by Maggie O'Farrell and directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, Hamnet tells the story of how William Shakespeare endured family tragedy to create his masterpiece, Hamlet. Starring Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, and Joe Alwyn.
Where to Watch: In select theaters on Nov. 27, expanding nationwide on Dec. 12.
Oh. What. Fun. - December 3, 2025
This fresh twist on the classic holiday-comedy features a star-studded cast as one big dysfunctional family, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Dominic Sessa, Jason Schwartzman, and Eva Longoria.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video
Merrily We Roll Along - December 5, 2025
Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez star in the live stage filming of the Tony-winning Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's musical.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Jay Kelly - December 5, 2025
George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Billy Crudup and Laura Dern star in this "heartbreaking comedy" from writer-director Noah Baumbach.
Where to Watch: In theaters Nov. 14 and streaming on Netflix Dec. 5.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 - December 9, 2025
The 2023 horror hit gets the sequel treatment, with returning stars Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail and Matthew Lilllard joined by new characters played by Mckenna Grace and Skeet Ulrich.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Merv - December 10, 2025
When their beloved dog Merv loses his spark after their split, Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox) are forced into the world’s most awkward co-parenting arrangement.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery - December 12, 2025
Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc for his most dangerous case yet, alongside a stellar supporting cast including Glenn Close, Josh O'Connor, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis and Kerry Washington.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Ella McCay - December 12, 2025
An all-star cast (Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri) leads this comedy about an idealistic young woman juggling her family and work life.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Avatar: Fire and Ash - December 19, 2025
Director James Cameron delivers the third film in his blockbuster Avatar franchise, promising a darker storyline as Jake and Neytiri's family clash with the Mangkwan Clan, also known as the Ash People. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Kate Winslet,Oona Chaplin, and Michelle Yeoh.
Where to Watch: In theaters
The Housemaid - December 19, 2025
Based on the best-selling novel by Freida McFadden, this thriller follows a young woman (Sydney Sweeney) who accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy couple (Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar) and soon finds herself trapped in a seductive game of secrets and scandal.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Is This Thing On? - December 19, 2025
Directed by Bradley Cooper and starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern, this comedy-drama follows a middle-aged comedian navigating an impending divorce.
Where to Watch: In theaters
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants - December 19, 2025
SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends set sail on a seafaring comedy-adventure, complete with ghost pirates.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Goodbye June - December 24, 2025
It’s nearly Christmas when an unexpected turn in their mother’s health thrusts four adult siblings, and their exasperating father, into chaos as they navigate messy family dynamics in the face of potential loss. Kate Winslet makes her directorial debut and stars alongside Helen Mirren, Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Flynn, and Timothy Spall.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Marty Supreme - December 25, 2025
Timothée Chalamet takes the lead in this 1950s-set sports drama about a young man with a dream of becoming a champion table-tennis player. Also starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A'zion.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Song Sung Blue - December 25, 2025
Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Anaconda - December 25, 2025
Jack Black and Paul Rudd star in this comedy adventure about two friends who travel to the Amazon to film a remake of their all-time favorite snake movie, and find themselves facing off against an actual giant anaconda.
Where to Watch: In theaters
People We Meet on Vacation - January 9, 2026
Tom Blyth and Emily Bader star in the movie adaptation of Emily Henry's bestselling romance novel.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Primate - January 9, 2026
A group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of
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Where to Watch: In theaters
The Rip - January 16, 2026
BFFs Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite for this action thriller about a team of Miami cops who discover millions in cash in a derelict stash house and along with it some serious trust issues. Also starring Teyana Taylor and Steven Yeun.
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28 Years Later: The Bone Temple - January 16, 2026
Ralph Fiennes stars in this spin-off of the post-apocalyptic franchise, in which the inhumanity of the survivors becomes even more terrifying than the infected.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Send Help - January 30, 2026
Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien star in this dark comedy about two office colleagues who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after they are the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive.
Where to Watch: In theaters
GOAT - February 13, 2026
From the studio behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse comes this animated comedy set in an all-animal world that follows Will, a small goat who gets the chance to play roarball - a dangerous, full-contact game dominated by the fiercest foes. Featuring Stephen Curry, Gabrielle Union, and Caleb McLaughlin.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Wuthering Heights - February 14, 2026
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi step into the iconic roles of Catherine and Heathcliff in Saltburn director Emerald Fennell's new adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Scream 7 - February 27, 2026
Neve Campbell returns to the Scream franchise as iconic final girl Sidney Prescott, this time to protect her own family from a new Ghostface killer. Also starring Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, Mckenna Grace, and plenty of surprise cameos.
Where to Watch: In theaters
The Cat in the Hat - February 27, 2026
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Where to Watch: In theaters
The Bride! - March 6, 2026
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Hoppers - March 6, 2026
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Project Hail Mary - March 20, 2026
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