Wuthering Heights Director Regrets Cutting Margot Robbie's Hairy Armpits Scene

The Wuthering Heights director Emerald Fennell said it was 'unfortunate' that a scene showing Margot Robbie's hairy armpits didn't make the final cut, because women in period adaptations are often shown with clean-shaven underarms. Women's bodies aren't typically depicted with body hair in these adaptations, and Fennell's attempt to change this is notable.

Emerald Fennell is a British film director, known for her work on Promising Young Woman. She was appointed to direct the 2026 adaptation of Emily Brontë's gothic novel, starring Margot Robbie alongside Jacob Elordi. Fennell described it as a 'sister, not a twin' of the book, saying that she couldn't make the original. She didn't want to recreate the book exactly, but rather create a new interpretation.

Margot Robbie's character, Cathy, had 'extremely hairy armpits' in the 2026 adaptation of the novel, but unfortunately, the scene that we see them didn't make it in there, said the director. Fennell spoke to an audience at Hay festival in Wales on Friday evening about her sexed-up adaptation of the classic novel. She expressed her frustration with the typical depiction of women in period adaptations.

'They're all kind of hairless like eels. I'm like: What's going on? It's completely mad.'

Fennell also spoke about the much-discussed 'fish scene', in which Cathy sticks her finger into a dead fish's mouth. She saw a fish in aspic and thought: I want to stick my finger in its mouth. Fennell explained that they had all of the different fish, including fish with lipstick on, real fish, and fake fish. In the end, they used a real fish. They're not afraid to push boundaries in their films.

Fennell said that being embarrassing, being cringe, is a really big thing for her. Especially now, in our culture, we're so phobic and terrified of being cringe, or being earnest, and so we've got this deadening ambivalence about everything. She feels that she wants to get in and go for it, and push it off a cliff. She won't hold back in her films.

Fennell also talked about her plans after the release of Wuthering Heights. She's taking time off from film-making to make jigsaw puzzles, see her family, disconnect from the internet, and read Sarah J Maas novels. She needs a break from the film industry.

And Fennell revealed she's secretly working on a new project. 'I'm coming up secretly with something so depraved, so profoundly evil, that nobody's going to make it.' She hasn't shared any details about the project, but it's likely to be provocative.

There's no Nigerian connection to this story. However, the conversation about body hair in film has sparked debate globally. The way women are portrayed in period adaptations, often without any body hair, is noteworthy. Fennell's attempt to show Margot Robbie's character with hairy armpits is significant because it's a more realistic representation of women's bodies during that time period. It's a step towards change.

Emerald Fennell's comments have sparked a conversation about women's bodies in film. Fennell's sexed-up adaptation of Wuthering Heights has been making headlines since its release on Valentine's Day. The film has received mixed reviews from critics, but Fennell's unique approach to the classic novel has been praised by some. They appreciate her willingness to take risks.

In terms of what happens next, Fennell's new project is shrouded in mystery. She hasn't revealed any details about the project, except that it's 'so depraved, so profoundly evil, that nobody's going to make it.' It's unclear when Fennell will start working on the new project, but it's likely to be sometime after she takes her planned break from film-making. She won't rush into anything.

The issue of body hair in film is an important one. It's a topic that's been discussed by many women in the film industry, including actresses like Emma Watson and Saoirse Ronan. They've spoken about the pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards, which often include removing body hair. They don't want to be forced into a certain mold.

Fennell's decision to show Margot Robbie's character with hairy armpits is a significant one. It's a step towards a more realistic representation of women's bodies in film. However, the fact that the scene was cut from the final version of the film is a reminder that there's still a long way to go in terms of challenging traditional beauty standards. They're not there yet.

Emerald Fennell's comments about the scene showing Margot Robbie's hairy armpits are significant. They highlight the importance of realistic representation of women's bodies in film. Fennell's unique approach to the classic novel has been praised by some, and her new project is shrouded in mystery. The film industry is waiting to see what she does next.