Sydney Sweeney Plays Kim Novak, But the Real One Is Not Pleased: What’s Going On With “Scandalous!”?

As Hollywood prepares to dramatize one of its most delicate love stories, Kim Novak worries upcoming biopic starring Sydney Sweeney will misrepresent romance with Sammy Davis Jr. The film, titled Scandalous!, stars Sydney Sweeney as Novak and David Jonsson as the legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., and has already sparked passionate responses from those closest to the real-life events.

At 92, Kim Novak remains one of the last living icons of classic Hollywood. Her reflections are not just nostalgia—they’re powerful reminders of how history is remembered, retold, and, in some cases, revised. And in her view, Scandalous! may be on the verge of getting the story wrong.

A Story From the Golden Age That Still Echoes Today

In the late 1950s, when Hollywood was still controlled by powerful studios and tightly managed images, Kim Novak and Sammy Davis Jr. shared a connection that defied both industry politics and social prejudice. But in a time when interracial relationships were condemned by the press, and even considered dangerous by studio heads, their romance was viewed as controversial.

Still, Novak insists it was never about scandal. It was about genuine emotion, shared values, and the mutual understanding of two outsiders in a system that didn’t accept them fully.

“I don’t think the relationship was scandalous,” Novak told The Guardian. “He’s somebody I really cared about.”

This sentiment is at the core of her growing unease about the film. Kim Novak worries upcoming biopic starring Sydney Sweeney will misrepresent romance with Sammy Davis Jr., reducing something heartfelt into something merely provocative.

Why Kim Novak Is Speaking Out Now

Over the years, many projects have attempted to depict Novak’s life, but according to her longtime manager Sue Cameron, none have captured the truth of her relationship with Davis Jr. In fact, most of these projects were unauthorized and unapproved.

“Kim and I have been aware of at least four unauthorized and unapproved projects in development about the Kim Novak and Sammy Davis affair,” Cameron said in an interview.

But with Scandalous! gaining traction, getting studio backing, and casting a major star like Sydney Sweeney, this version might finally make it to theaters. And that’s precisely why Novak is so concerned. Once a film reaches a wide audience, the version of events it presents can become the dominant narrative, even if it’s not accurate.

Sydney Sweeney and David Jonsson Step Into the Spotlight

Sydney Sweeney, best known for her emotionally raw performances in Euphoria and Reality, is now taking on the challenging role of portraying Kim Novak. Opposite her, David Jonsson (of Industry) will portray Sammy Davis Jr. The film is being directed by Colman Domingo, making his feature directorial debut.

There’s no doubt that the casting is bold. Sweeney’s rising star power and Jonsson’s depth as an actor give the project significant weight. But the central issue remains: Will these performances reflect truth, or will they play into the drama and scandal the title implies?

“Hopefully we’ll make a beautiful, sweet film that’s really about the possibility of love, but under many eyes,” Domingo said in an interview.

What Was the Relationship Really Like?

The reality of Novak’s relationship with Davis Jr. was far more nuanced than public perception allowed at the time. Novak has said that she saw in Davis not just a performer or a public figure, but someone deeply human.

“He had a boyish quality, and I loved that about him,” she recalled in a 2023 interview.

Novak also emphasized that she never saw the relationship in terms of race. To her, he was simply a man she connected with—an individual who shared similar emotional struggles in a world that often misunderstood them.

“I never saw somebody with color,” she said. “A man is a man, no matter what skin color he has.”

This perspective is critical because it highlights the emotional truth behind the relationship. And it’s this truth Novak wants the film to reflect—not just the societal conflict, but the emotional intimacy that existed between them.

An Opportunity for Change, or a Missed One?

One of the most important themes in Novak’s account is her hope that their relationship could change perceptions.

“I felt I was doing the right thing by doing that,” she said. “I felt that Sammy and I were at the start of helping people understand that this is not wrong.”

If portrayed correctly, Scandalous! could help bring that hope full circle. The story of two public figures fighting for the right to love—despite societal pressure—resonates more today than ever.

But if the film veers into sensationalism, or worse, misrepresents the motivations behind their romance, it risks becoming just another Hollywood spectacle rather than a tribute to a relationship that helped push boundaries.

This is why Kim Novak worries upcoming biopic starring Sydney Sweeney will misrepresent romance with Sammy Davis Jr. She sees a film that could educate, heal, and humanize, but fears it might instead distort, exploit, or oversimplify.

The Director’s Vision and the Responsibility Ahead

Colman Domingo, while new to directing, is a respected actor known for taking on powerful, socially conscious roles. In his statement about the film, he indicated that Scandalous! will attempt to go deeper than tabloid-level storytelling.

“Trying to have privacy, trying to have love, trying to have a life,” Domingo said. “I think it’s something that Sydney and I both know very well.”

The question is whether that vision will remain intact through the entire filmmaking process. Studio marketing, script rewrites, and editing choices could still change the tone of the film significantly.

The Weight of Legacy and Reputation

For Kim Novak, this film is more than just a story. It’s about preserving legacy, honoring real emotion, and correcting public misconceptions that have lingered for decades. With each retelling, there is an opportunity either to clarify the past or to blur it further.

And while Novak does not oppose a biopic in principle, she wants that biopic to be based on truth—not assumptions or invented drama. That’s why her public statements carry so much weight.

“It was a romance based on love, respect, the things they shared in common,” said Sue Cameron.

This emphasis on shared values rather than forbidden passion shifts the story’s foundation from one of controversy to one of human connection.

Conclusion: A Powerful Story at a Crossroads

There’s no denying the dramatic potential of Kim Novak’s relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. It was bold, it was misunderstood, and it came at great personal risk. But for those involved, it was also real, tender, and deeply meaningful.

As Scandalous! moves forward, the entire creative team will face an important decision: to lean into tabloid-style storytelling, or to honor the truth of two people who dared to care for each other in a world that said they shouldn’t.

The fact that Kim Novak worries upcoming biopic starring Sydney Sweeney will misrepresent romance with Sammy Davis Jr. should not be dismissed as resistance to change. It should be seen as a call to responsible storytelling—one that acknowledges the pain, honors the love, and tells the story not just of scandal, but of strength.