‘Scandalous,’ a Miramax film, marks the directorial debut of Colman Domingo. The biopic explores the turbulent 1957 romance between Hollywood icon Kim Novak and legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. Domingo describes the project, featuring Sydney Sweeney and David Jonsson, as a tender and hopeful depiction of love’s possibilities.
In a significant development, the real Kim Novak, now 93, openly criticized the casting choice of Sydney Sweeney in an interview with The Times of London. Novak expressed strong disapproval, stating she would never have consented to Sweeney portraying her. Her remarks were notably candid, highlighting concerns about the film’s focus.
Novak specifically targeted Sweeney’s image, describing her as a “bombshell” and worried that the film might emphasize sensuality over the genuine emotional connection she shared with Davis Jr. She lamented that Sweeney “looks sexy all the time,” fearing that Hollywood’s tendency toward sensationalism could overshadow the true essence of their relationship.
Meanwhile, despite Novak’s reservations, production is proceeding at full speed. Domingo insists the film remains fundamentally a love story, though details such as the release date have yet to be announced. The question now is whether Sydney Sweeney can ultimately win over her most critical audience—the woman whose life she portrays—when the film reaches theaters.
