Emerald Fennell and Margot Robbie rejected a massive distribution bid from Netflix for Fennell’s Wuthering Heights remake.
In July 2024, it was announced that Fennell planned to direct an adaptation of the classic Emily Brontë novel Wuthering Heights, which was originally published in 1847. Robbie and Jacob Elordi have both been tapped to star in the film, while LuckyChap Entertainment, which was co-founded by Robbie, is producing. Film and television studio MRC is also involved in the project.
Who acquired the distribution rights to Wuthering Heights and why was Netflix’s bid rejected?
Per Deadline, the distribution rights for Fennell’s Wuthering Heights have been acquired by Warner Bros. Motion Pictures Group.
According to the article, studios’ bids were “dizzyingly high.” Netflix reported had the highest bid, which is rumored to be in the $150 million range; however, Fennell and Robbie turned the offer down as they wanted a proper theatrical release for the film.
“Warner Bros Pictures is believed to have paid around half that amount, but the studio has committed to distribute Wuthering Heights in theaters globally, with a proper P&A spend and backend participation triggered by box office success,” Deadline’s article states.
Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group’s Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy said of acquiring Wuthering Heights, “We are thrilled to partner with MRC, Emerald Fennell, and LuckyChap for this feature film adaptation of Wuthering Heights. From the moment we were introduced to Emerald’s vision for the film, and with an incredible cast led by Margot and Jacob, we were instantly committed to forging a partnership with this team to ensure the movie was brought to theaters around the world.”
Fennell added, “I’m so excited to be working with the amazing team at Warner Bros, and to once again be partnering with the brilliant MRC and LuckyChap.”
Fennell previously won the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award for 2020’s Promising Young Woman, which marked her feature film directorial debut. She followed that up with 2023’s Saltburn, which starred Elordi. LuckyChap Entertainment produced both Promising Young Woman and Saltburn.
A release date for Fennell’s Wuthering Heights has not yet been announced.
