Veteran actor Kim Novak has voiced strong reservations about the upcoming film Scandalous, which explores her past relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. In a recent interview with The Times of London, Novak said she “would’ve never approved” of the project.
The film stars Sydney Sweeney as Novak and David Jonsson as Davis, with Colman Domingo directing. While the project has generated buzz, Novak expressed discomfort with both the casting and the film’s perceived direction.
“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 said, adding that the actor “sticks out so much above the waist". She also worried that the narrative may lean too heavily into the physical aspect of the romance rather than its emotional depth. According to Novak, their bond stemmed from having “so much in common", rather than being defined purely by attraction.
Scandalous was first announced in October 2024, with Miramax backing the project and pushing for a swift production timeline following the completion of Euphoria Season 3.
Sweeney, however, has previously spoken positively about taking on the role. In an earlier interview with People, she said she felt “incredibly honoured" to portray Novak, noting that the actor’s experiences with fame and public scrutiny still resonate today. “I think her story is still very relevant… she dealt with Hollywood and scrutiny with her relationships and her own private life and the control of her image,” Sweeney said, adding that she personally relates to those challenges.
Novak and Davis first crossed paths in 1956 while appearing on The Steve Allen Show. Their connection grew over time, with Davis even visiting Novak on the set of Vertigo, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Their relationship drew public attention in 1958 when reports surfaced suggesting a possible marriage, claims Novak publicly denied.
Shortly after, Davis married Loray White, though that union lasted only a year. Novak later married actor Richard Johnson in 1965; the couple eventually divorced and later reunited before Johnson’s death in 1976.
