Kim Novak recently criticized the casting of Sydney Sweeney in the forthcoming biopic “Scandalous,” which explores her 1950s romance with Sammy Davis Jr.
In a candid discussion with The Times of London, the 93-year-old screen legend stated that Sweeney, aged 28, is not suited for the role and that she would not have endorsed such casting.
Novak seemed to criticize Sweeney’s well-known physique, noting that the young actress is much more revealing above the waist than she ever was.
Furthermore, Novak voiced her worries that the movie, which has reportedly hit a production snag, might overly emphasize the sexual aspects of her relationship with Davis, rather than highlighting the deep connection they shared.
“Given Sydney Sweeney’s perpetual sexy image, it’s inevitable that the relationship would be portrayed as primarily sexual. She is completely the wrong choice to portray me,” Novak added.
The Daily Mail has sought comments from Sweeney’s representatives but has yet to receive a response.
Kim Novak took a swing at Sydney Sweeney after the star was cast to play her in the upcoming biopic Scandalous about her love affair with Sammy Davis Jr; seen in 2025
The 93-year-old Hollywood icon said that Sweeney, 28, is ‘totally wrong’ for the role and that she ‘would never have approved’ of her casting; Sweeney seen in January 2026
Scandalous was revealed to be in the early stages of development with first reports of the project in October 2024.
At the time, it was revealed that Colman Domingo was set to make his feature directorial debut with the period drama starring Sweeney as Novak and David Jonsson, 32, as the late Davis Jr.
The film was set to tell the story of the romance between Novak and Davis Jr. and how they faced intense racial prejudice and public backlash when their relationship came to light.
During the same interview with The Times of London, Novak spoke about how interracial relationships were taboo in Hollywood at the time and reflected on how their relationship drew fierce racist opposition.
The pair were drawn to each other because they wanted to prove themselves as actors, but then were forced to end their relationship.
‘Because of the color of his skin people did terrible things,’ Novak recalled as she gave an example of people giving him beer with urine in it.
She then appeared to shame Sweeney’s famous cleavage as she remarked that the actress, unlike herself, ‘sticks out so much above the waist’; Sweeney seen in 2025
Novak expressed concern that the movie would focus too much on the sexual dynamics in her relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. in 1957
When movie executives learned of their relationship in 1957, the couple were forced to break up as they feared an interracial marriage.
Columbia Pictures boss Henry Cohn, who had Novak under contract, was worried that their interracial relationship would be bad for business.
According to multiple reports – including Novak’s, per The Times of London – Cohn threatened Davis with mob violence if they did not separate.
Novak also denied that she and Davis Jr. were planning to get married while remembering the star, who died at age 64 in 1990.
‘No, no. I mean, he loved me. I cared for him deeply. But at that time I never wanted to marry anybody,’ she insisted.
Last year, Novak also voiced her concerns and expressed her disdain for the film and, particularly, about the movie title.
‘I don’t think the relationship was scandalous,’ the silver screen star told The Guardian in August 2025.
During the same interview with The Times of London , Novak spoke about how interracial relationships were taboo in Hollywood at the time and reflected on how their relationship drew fierce racist opposition
It was revealed in 2024 that Sweeney would be starring opposite David Jonsson as the late Sammy Davis Jr. in the biopic, which is reportedly stalled; Jonsson seen in February 2026
‘He’s somebody I really cared about,’ Novak continued.
‘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,’ she added. ‘But I’m concerned they’re going to make it all sexual reasons.’
Despite Novak’s objections, Sweeney was already starting to get into character last year and said she was ‘incredibly honored’ to play Novak in October 2025.
‘I think her story is still very relevant today in that she dealt with Hollywood and scrutiny with her relationships and her own private life and the control of her image,’ Sweeney told People at the time.
‘And I think that for me, I relate to it in a lot of different ways.’
