Actress Kim Novak, known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Vertigo,' has publicly expressed her disapproval of Sydney Sweeney's casting in the film 'Scandalous!', which chronicles her relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. Two years ago, the production of this film was announced, exploring Novak's interracial romance with the musician, artist, and Rat Pack member. The film, directed by Colman Domingo, features Sweeney as Kim and David Jonsson as Sammy Davis Jr.

Novak, 93, has repeatedly expressed her dissatisfaction with the casting of the 'Euphoria' and 'Anyone but You' actress. In an interview with The Times of London, Novak stated that she 'would never have approved' the choice, adding that Sweeney 'sticks out so much above the waist.' The publication notes that Novak's criticism stems from her concern that the film will focus on the sexual aspect of the relationship rather than what they had in common.

Kim Novak fears the film will focus on the sexual aspect of the relationship, rather than what they had in common. 'There's no way it wouldn't be a sexual relationship because Sydney Sweeney looks sexy all the time. She was totally wrong to play me,' Novak added. The film 'Scandalous!' will explore Kim Novak's romance with Sammy Davis Jr. in the 1950s, a time when interracial marriage was illegal in some U.S. states.

Novak met Davis Jr. in 1957 on The Steve Allen Show. The following year, they began a relationship. At the time, Novak was under contract with Columbia Pictures, whose president, Harry Cohn, feared that public backlash against the relationship would affect the studio. A Gallup poll conducted during that period showed that only 4% of Americans approved of interracial unions, which were still illegal in some states.

Despite the pressure, Novak rebelled against the restrictions imposed on their relationship. Davis Jr. was also drawn to this 'defiance.' However, after the publication of an article suggesting the couple would marry, Davis Jr. was threatened by organized crime figures close to Cohn, who ordered him to break up with Novak.

He was also threatened with violence if he did not marry a Black woman within two days. Nine days later, he married Black chorus girl Loray White. The couple never lived together and divorced the following year.

Davis Jr. married Swedish actress May Britt in 1960, which also led to intense backlash and racism. They divorced eight years later after admitting to an affair. Davis Jr. married dancer Altovise Gore the year after his divorce, and the couple remained together until his death in 1990.

At the Venice Film Festival last year, Kim revealed she was 'a little concerned' about the film. 'I have to speak about the movie that's going to be made about the Sammy Davis relationship,' she told the audience of a masterclass, before explaining her issue with Sydney. '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.'

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year, Sydney, who is also a producer on the film, was asked if she had met the actress she was going to play on screen, but she dodged the question and instead said, 'Colman and her have a very beautiful relationship. They've been talking. We connected them, so it's been great.' Speaking to People around the same time, the actress said she was 'incredibly honored' to play Kim. '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. And I think that for me, I relate to her in a lot of different ways,' she stated.

Throughout her career, Kim won two Golden Globes and also starred in 'Bell, Book and Candle,' 'Strangers When We Meet,' and 'Kiss Me, Stupid.' However, she retired from acting in 1966 and has only been seen on screen a handful of times since. Reflecting on her relationship with Davis Jr., she said their romance was 'often misunderstood' and that: 'Because of the color of his skin, people did terrible things.'

Kim married actor Richard Johnson in 1965. After divorcing, she married veterinarian Robert Malloy in 1976 and remained together until his death in 2021. The love story of Novak and Davis Jr. remains a topic of interest and debate in Hollywood.