Sydney Sweeney is set to star in Scandalous, a new biopic about the tumultuous relationship between Hollywood stars Kim Novak and Sammy Davis Jr. The film, directed by Colman Domingo, has sparked controversy following Kim Novak’s public criticism of Sweeney’s casting.

The 93-year-old actress took aim at Sweeney in an interview with The Times of London, describing her as “totally wrong” to play the role of her, and stating that she would never have approved it. Novak expressed concern that the film might prioritize raw sexuality over the true emotional bond she shared with Davis Jr.

Novak lamented that Sweeney’s reputation for being a sex symbol could make it difficult to capture the essence of their relationship on screen. She feared that Hollywood sensationalism would rob the love story of its heart, and give viewers a shallow portrayal instead.

Despite Novak’s harsh critique, production on Scandalous is moving forward at full capacity. Domingo maintains that the film is, at its core, a love story, but has refused to comment further on the release date or other details.