Kim Novak says Sydney Sweeney was ‘Totally Wrong’ for her role
Last Updated on March 29, 2026 by Bella
Hollywood legend Kim Novak is making headlines after strongly criticizing the casting of Sydney Sweeney in the upcoming film Scandalous!.
In a recent interview with The Times of London, Novak made it clear she is not on board with the decision.
“I would never have approved,” she said about Sweeney playing her in the film.
And she didn’t stop there.
“She was totally wrong to play me.”
The comments have instantly sparked debate across social media, with fans divided over whether Novak’s criticism is fair or too harsh.
What Scandalous! Is Really About
The upcoming film centers on Novak’s real life relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. in the 1950s.
At the time, their romance made headlines and stirred controversy, making it one of the most talked about relationships in Hollywood history.
Now, the story is being brought back to the screen with a modern lens.
Sydney Sweeney takes on the role of Novak, while David Jonsson will portray Sammy Davis Jr.
The project is also notable for marking the directorial debut of Colman Domingo.
Novak’s Biggest Concern About the Film
Kim Novak’s criticism goes beyond casting. It is about how her story might be told.
According to the interview, she worries the film will focus too much on the physical aspect of her relationship rather than the deeper connection she shared with Davis.
She emphasized that they had much more in common than what people assumed at the time.
But she believes the casting choice sends a different message.
“There’s no way it wouldn’t be a sexual relationship because Sydney Sweeney looks sexy all the time,”
Novak said.
Her concern is clear. She fears the film may reduce a complex relationship into something more superficial.
Sydney Sweeney Has Yet to Respond
As of now, Sydney Sweeney has not publicly addressed Novak’s comments.
Her representatives also did not respond to requests for comment.
However, Sweeney has previously spoken about how passionate she is about the project.
Sweeney Personally Chose Colman Domingo
In an earlier interview, Sweeney opened up about how she helped shape the film behind the scenes.
She revealed that bringing Colman Domingo on board as director was a deliberate choice.
“When I was putting the package together, we were circling different directors. There was one previously attached and I just felt like the story really needed to have a different voice,”
she said.
For Sweeney, Domingo was always the right fit.
“The entire time I was like the only person who would really be able to tell this story and to the degree that it needs to be beautifully told is Colman Domingo.”
She even personally reached out to him.
“So I called him up and I was like, ‘Hey, I don’t know if you even want to direct, but there’s a script that I’d really love to send you. And if you like it, it’s yours. If not, I won’t be offended,’”
Domingo quickly responded.
“He read it within like a few hours and he called me back and he was like, ‘This is exactly what I’ve been telling my team I want to find.’”
Sweeney described the project as:
“a labor of love.”
Has Sydney Sweeney Met Kim Novak?
That question still remains unclear.
When asked directly, Sweeney did not give a straight answer.
But she did reveal that there has been some level of connection behind the scenes.
“Colman and her have a really beautiful relationship. They’ve been talking. We connected them, so it’s been really cool.”
This suggests that while Novak may not approve of the casting, she is still in contact with the film’s director.
TL;DR
- Sweeney is also a producer on the film
- Kim Novak criticizes Sydney Sweeney casting in Scandalous!
- Says she would “never have approved” the decision
- Claims Sweeney was “totally wrong” to portray her
- Film will explore Novak’s relationship with Sammy Davis Jr.
- Directed by Colman Domingo in his directorial debut
