Hollywood legend Kim Novak doesn’t agree with Sydney Sweeney being cast as her in an upcoming film about her relationship with Sammy Davis Jr.
Titled Scandalous!, the movie will explore the Vertigo actress’s ill-fated 1957 romance with the musician, entertainer and Rat Pack member.
The film serves as the directorial debut of Colman Domingo, and will star Sweeney as Novak alongside Alien: Romulus star David Jonsson as Davis Jr.
Responding to a question from Metro at a masterclass on Wednesday during Venice Film Festival, the Golden Globe winner, 92, revealed she was ‘a little concerned’ about the biopic.
‘I have to speak out about the movie that’s about to be made about the Sammy Davis relationship,’ she told the audience, before explaining her issue with Sweeney.
‘I think actors have a wonderful place to do whatever but, in my case, I’m not an actress – I’m a re-actress. So therefore, I’d like to see somebody playing that role that is more of a re-actor than an actor.’
Novak went on to make it clear she had no issue with the Anyone But You actress’s talent and said it was just her ‘personal feeling’ about the biopic.
‘I think that the person that is going to be doing it is a really wonderful actress, I truly do, she’s really good, but I don’t think we want an actress for that role.’
The star then added, ‘I want to be remembered not as an actress…’ before pausing and admitting: ‘I don’t know how to say it.’
The moderator then stepped in to suggest: ‘I think we’re talking about being remembered as a great artist, which is what you are, whether you’re doing films or whether you’re painting.’
The Pal Joey star nodded in agreement and responded: ‘Well said – yes.’
It’s not the first time Novak has spoken about Scandalous! recently, with her previously sharing she was worried it would not be appropriate in its portrayal of their romance.
The film delves into their undercover romance and how it came to an end when Davis Jr was threatened with mob violence.
Convinced that it would be ‘bad for business’ for Hollywood star Novak to be involved with a Black man, Columbia Pictures boss Harry Cohn took it upon himself to end their relationship.
Taking issue with the film’s title, Novak said: ‘I don’t think the relationship was scandalous.’
Speaking to The Guardian, she continued: ‘He’s somebody I really cared about. We had so much in common, including that need to be accepted for who we are and what we do, rather than how we look.
‘I’m concerned they’re going to make it all sexual reasons,’ she added.
At Wednesday’s masterclass she also spoke about being ‘born at the wrong time’ as she praised the freedom in Hollywood today and how the industry compared to when she was working as film star.
‘I think it’s so much better. I really do. Of course, when you look back, we see things that we like, but I love the freedom! Freedom, as you know, is my theme and I don’t like anybody to argue with me being free – like dictators,’ she shared.
‘I love the freedom that exists in showbusiness – and that’s one place they’re not able to take it away from – and I love the way that people are able to express their feelings.
‘To me, I think I was in a way born at the wrong time. I would love to be in the industry right now, but I couldn’t remember all the lines, so I couldn’t do it!’
She also highlighted the fact that actors are now ‘are able to pick their own parts and movies’, unlike in the studio system within which she worked, where actors were assigned to the films by the studio which owned their contract.
‘And when they do it, hopefully it’s for the right reasons,’ she added.
Novak has been at Venice to receive a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, while a documentary on her life and career also premiered.
Titled Kim Novak’s Vertigo, the film uses her starring role in the Alfred Hitchcock thriller as a springboard to her life now, as a reclusive artist in Oregon.
‘It’s incredible to feel appreciated and to receive this gift before the end of my life,’ she said of the documentary.
‘I think I’m being honoured as much for being authentic as for my acting. It has sort of come full circle.’
Sweeney has had to fend off scandalous reports of her own recently, after sparking controversy with an advertisement campaign for clothing brand American Eagle.
Launching with the tagline ‘Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,’ the campaign was met with considerable backlash from the public, who believed the pun to reference rhetoric surrounding eugenics and white supremacy.
‘Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality, and even eye colour. My jeans are blue,’ says the Euphoria actress in the advert.
As the debate waged on, US press outlets reported Sweeney as being a registered Republican, although she has not commented herself.
A version of this article was first published on August 31, 2025.
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