At the Los Angeles premiere of Wuthering Heights, Margot Robbie, the 35-year-old actress and producer, made headlines after a comment about her husband sparked widespread jokes about her relationship status. While discussing plans to see the film, Robbie said she might attend with her “husband… or whoever,” which fans immediately linked to the idea of a Margot Robbie open relationship.
This remark came as she explained the strategic February 13 release date for the drama, produced through her company LuckyChap Entertainment alongside Emerald Fennell. Robbie envisioned a Valentine’s weekend where audiences could enjoy the film either on a night out with girlfriends or accompanied by a partner, highlighting the movie’s romantic and social appeal.
Details Behind the Valentine’s Weekend Release Strategy
Margot Robbie elaborated on why Wuthering Heights was scheduled for release the weekend before Valentine’s Day. She said audiences might prefer a “girls’ night” out on a Friday, with cocktails and dressing up, followed by a more intimate viewing with a spouse or partner on the holiday itself. Her phrasing—“my husband… or whoever”—prompted fans to joke about the possibility of an open relationship.
Fans recalled Robbie’s 2023 blockbuster, Barbie, noting her playful commitment to ‘girls’ night’ culture. Reactions to her red carpet comment on TikTok ranged from amused disbelief to curiosity about the nature of her marriage. Comments included,
“Do they have an open marriage or .. ??”
and
“My husband or Jacob Elordi, or whoever????”
Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley’s Partnership On and Off Screen
Robbie and her husband, Tom Ackerley, have been partners for over a decade after meeting on a film set in 2013. Together, they established LuckyChap Entertainment, a production company responsible for bringing projects like Wuthering Heights and Barbie to life. The couple secretly wed some years ago and welcomed a son in October 2024, whom they have kept out of the public eye.
At the premiere, Tom Ackerley appeared stylish and supportive in a classic black tuxedo, while Robbie captured attention in a couture Schiaparelli gown. Notably, she wore a stunning $8 million heart-shaped pendant once owned by Elizabeth Taylor, making a bold statement at the event.
About the Wuthering Heights Adaptation and Its Controversies
Wuthering Heights, adapted by Emerald Fennell and produced by Robbie and Ackerley, reimagines Emily Brontë’s gothic romance and is set to hit cinemas on February 13. The film revisits the tragic love story between Cathy Earnshaw, played by Robbie, and Heathcliff, portrayed by Jacob Elordi. The dramatic narrative unfolds across two generations on the rugged Yorkshire moors.
This latest adaptation has attracted criticism, particularly regarding casting choices. Critics questioned the selection of Elordi, a white actor, for the role of Heathcliff, a character Brontë described as “dark-skinned.” Additionally, some argued Robbie’s age was unsuitable for playing Cathy, traditionally depicted as a teenager. Despite these disputes, director Emerald Fennell defended the casting and adaptation approach.
Fennell described the project as more than a strict retelling:
“You simply can’t adapt a book as dense, complicated and difficult as Wuthering Heights, so you create a version of it rather than a replica.”
She consulted with the Brontë Parsonage Museum and others passionate about the novel to honor its spirit while offering a fresh perspective. Fennell emphasized,
“It is Wuthering Heights and it isn’t,”
illustrating the creative liberties taken.
Creative Vision and Costume Design Choices
The film’s modern touches extend into its costumes, designed by Jacqueline Durran, who defended the stylized wardrobe amid public backlash. Since the trailer’s release in November, viewers have expressed frustration over the non-traditional outfits, criticizing them as inconsistent with the period setting. Durran explained to Vogue that the costumes were intentionally designed with “shiny surfaces” to reflect Cathy’s character, blending Victorian dress shapes with contemporary fabrics.
The costume designer admitted the team was not striving for historical accuracy. Instead, they aimed to curate clothing that suited each character’s personality and the director’s vision. “The dates are all confused,” Durran said, highlighting the film’s departure from strict period realism in favor of mood and symbolism.
The Significance of Margot Robbie’s Statement and Its Wider Context
Margot Robbie’s seemingly casual comment about going to see the film with her “husband… or whoever” has resonated widely, provoking curiosity and humorous debate about her personal life in conjunction with her professional endeavors. This reaction underscores how celebrity remarks, particularly those that hint at unconventional personal dynamics, can amplify public intrigue under the spotlight, especially when paired with a romantic film release.
Furthermore, the release of Wuthering Heights amid such discussions draws additional attention to the film, albeit amid mixed reactions concerning its casting and stylistic decisions. The production team’s choices reflect a willingness to challenge traditional adaptations, which may prompt both devoted fans of Brontë’s novel and new viewers to engage with the story through a contemporary lens.
As Wuthering Heights premieres on February 13, audiences and critics alike will observe how this blend of old and new elements, both on screen and off, influence the film’s reception and cultural standing, further shaped by the ongoing public fascination with Margot Robbie’s life and career.
“@hollywoodreporter #MargotRobbie thought #WutheringHeights would be ‘perfect’ for a #ValentinesDay weekend movie release” – The Hollywood Reporter
“I think it’s a lot of things but I think primarily it’s because the book means so much to me and it means so so much to so many people, and I’ve been doing a lot of talking to the Brontë Parsonage Museum and to other people who love this book too because it means a lot to me.” – Emerald Fennell
“It’s every important that everyone who loves it as much as I do feels almost a part of it, I guess.” – Emerald Fennell
“But the thing for me is you can’t adapt a book as dense and complicated and difficult as this book. I can’t say I’m making Wuthering Heights. It’s not possible.” – Emerald Fennell
“What I can say is I’m making a version of it. There’s a version I remembered reading, which isn’t quite real. And there’s a version that I wanted to stuff to happen that never happened.” – Emerald Fennell
“And so it is Wuthering Heights and it isn’t. But really I’d say any adaptation of a novel, and especially a novel like this, should have, you know, quotation marks around it.” – Emerald Fennell
“That idea of shiny surfaces is key to Cathy’s character and costumes.” – Jacqueline Durran
“It’s something that takes you out of the period, but it was exciting to mix the shape of a Victorian dress with a fabric that was completely modern.” – Jacqueline Durran
“The dates are all confused.” – Jacqueline Durran
“We simply chose clothes we like for each character.” – Jacqueline Durran
