Margot Robbie openly discussed her passionate on-screen romance with Jacob Elordi during her appearance on Monday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. The conversation centered on their new film, Wuthering Heights, where both stars explore a complicated and intense relationship. Robbie’s remarks highlighted the frequent and fiery kisses shared with Elordi, drawing attention to their electric connection in the movie.
The 35-year-old Australian actress promoted the romantic drama alongside the 28-year-old Euphoria star, Jacob Elordi. The film, directed by Emerald Fennell, presents a modern adaptation of Emily Brontë’s iconic novel, with Robbie and Elordi playing Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, respectively. Their onscreen passion contrasts with the more restrained relationship depicted in the original book.
Exploring the Contrast Between the Film and the Original Novel
During the interview, Kimmel remarked on the abundance of intimate scenes in the movie, prompting a discussion about the novel’s portrayal of romance. Robbie explained that in Brontë’s original work, Catherine and Heathcliff “never even really kissed,” while the film takes a much more explicit approach.
Kimmel responded with surprise, “Wow, you guys do,” to which Robbie agreed with a smile, emphasizing,
“We kiss a lot… everywhere, yeah, a lot of kissing.”
The intensity of their onscreen relationship marks a departure from the book’s subtler depiction of passion, reflecting Fennell’s vision for the adaptation.
Robbie Reflects on the Film’s Release and Audience Experience
Robbie revealed that the decision to release the film on Valentine’s Day was deliberate, aiming to attract audiences looking for a romantic night out. She shared that she recently viewed the movie with a group of female friends and recommended it as an entertaining choice for a night with drinks and company.
“I would say like going with a group of girlfriends and having a couple of drinks, that’s gonna be a fun night out,”
Robbie noted. She also suggested that couples might enjoy the film together afterward, which led to playful banter with Kimmel.
Kimmel joked,
“Why aren’t you as romantic as Jacob Elordi?”
Robbie admitted she had similar thoughts, worrying the film could spark comparisons among partners, possibly causing tension.
“I wonder if this will start fights, because I do think a lot of men are gonna turn to their partners afterwards and be like,
Am I Heathcliff to you or am I Edgar to you?
”
she mused, referring to Edgar Linton, the more conventional rival who marries Catherine in the story.
“And I don’t know if they wanna hear the answer,”
she added with a laugh.
Robbie continued,
“And then the follow-up question’s gonna be like,
Well then who is your Heathcliff?
”
highlighting the potential for relationship debates fueled by the film’s passionate portrayal.
Behind the Scenes: Robbie’s Close Bond and Emotional Dependence on Elordi
Robbie candidly discussed how quickly she developed a deep connection with Elordi during filming, revealing that she became “codependent” on her co-star. She shared how on the early days of the shoot, Elordi would remain nearby, observing quietly, which initially unsettled her.
“I remember the first couple days on set, he would just be always in the vicinity where I was, but like in a corner, watching Cathy,”
Robbie recalled. Director Emerald Fennell jokingly said,
“I actually had to ask him to leave,”
causing laughter on set.
By the third day, Robbie observed herself
“starting to look around to see where he was.”
When he wasn’t close by, she described feeling
“really unnerved and unmoored. And I felt quite lost, like a kid without their blanket or something.”
Jacob Elordi Confirms Mutual Fascination Off Screen
Jacob Elordi confirmed their strong off-screen bond, describing a “mutual obsession” between himself and Robbie during filming. He explained that being near Robbie on set allowed him to watch her subtle gestures and movements closely.
“I think the thing is, regardless of plot or screenplay, if you have the opportunity to share a film set with Margot Robbie, you’re going to make sure you’re within 5 to 10 meters at all times,”
Elordi said. He added,
“Watching how she drinks tea, how she eats her food, how she does it. When is it going to slip? When is the thing going to come undone? And, it never comes undone.”
Moments of Real Connection During Filming
The actor shared a poignant moment from the shoot, describing how while running hand-in-hand across the moors, they fully embodied the genuine love between their characters.
“There’d be a moment where we’d be running hand-in-hand through the moors – maybe not even in the scene, just setting it up – where I’d look across at her and she’d be looking at me… and in that moment, we really were a part of their love, for real,”
Elordi recalled, adding emotional depth to their onscreen chemistry.
Film Cast and Production Details
Wuthering Heights also features Shazad Latif, Hong Chau, Alison Oliver, Charlotte Mellington, and Owen Cooper. The film is co-produced by Robbie’s production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, which she runs with her husband, Tom Ackerley. The company also produced recent hits like Barbie and Saltburn.
Robbie and Ackerley welcomed their baby boy in October 2024, balancing the demands of parenthood alongside their busy careers. Notably, Robbie began filming Wuthering Heights only three months after giving birth.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Film Release
The romantic drama is set to premiere on February 13, strategically timed for Valentine’s Day audiences seeking a passionate and dramatic film experience. Given the chemistry between Robbie and Elordi and the fresh adaptation of a classic novel, Wuthering Heights is expected to generate significant interest among fans of romance and literary classics.
The movie’s portrayal of the fiery, star-crossed relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, combined with the intense off-screen connection of its leads, promises to make it a compelling cinematic event this season.
