The shadows behind the spotlight: Were you watching Jacob Elordi or his double in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights?
Emerald Fennell's latest cinematic offering, Wuthering Heights, has certainly stirred the pot, sparking a whirlwind of opinions from critics and audiences alike. The film adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel has been the subject of countless reviews, fiery opinion pieces, and fervent social media discussions. But one particular scene, depicting the brooding Heathcliff with a scarred, candlelit back during an intimate moment, truly set the internet ablaze.
This striking image became a focal point for viewers, many of whom were captivated by actor Jacob Elordi's intense portrayal of the tortured anti-hero opposite Margot Robbie as Cathy. However, what if the powerful physique you admired on screen wasn't entirely Elordi's? BBC Newsbeat has delved into the fascinating world of body doubles – the often-overlooked professionals who play a crucial role in bringing a director's vision to life. They've been speaking with these unsung heroes to uncover the secrets behind the magic.
The Unconventional Interview: A Hairy Situation?
In the realm of unusual job interviews, Bo Ponomari, a Ukrainian actor and body double, has quite a story. His interview for Wuthering Heights included a rather peculiar question: "Do you have a hairy back?" This seemingly odd inquiry was part of the casting process for Elordi's stand-in. Despite being nine inches shorter than the famously tall star, Ponomari's physique was deemed similar enough for the role.
He shared with Newsbeat that he spent approximately an hour in the makeup chair, having prosthetic scars meticulously applied to his back. Director Fennell herself was reportedly very hands-on, ensuring the scars perfectly matched Elordi's. On set, Ponomari's responsibilities included assisting with camera tests, lighting setups, and providing alternative shots when Elordi was occupied with other scenes. He candidly admitted that he has no idea if the back seen in the final cut was his or Elordi's, explaining that the finished film can be a "mixture of everything", with scenes sometimes featuring the main actor, and at other times, a stunt performer or body double.
Why the Need for Doubles? The Art of the Second Unit
Ponomari elaborated on the necessity of doubles in large film productions, which are typically divided into a first unit and a second unit. The first unit handles the primary actor's scenes, focusing on crucial dialogue, close-ups, and emotional performances. The second unit, on the other hand, takes care of stunts, action sequences, and any scenes that don't strictly require the lead actor's presence. This is where body doubles, hand doubles, and back doubles become indispensable.
Utilizing doubles not only helps film crews adhere to their schedule and maintain cost-effectiveness but also steps in when actors are unable or unwilling to perform certain scenes. Ponomari noted, "You have some actors that [for] religious reasons, or they have personal reasons, they just don't want to do this, and that's absolutely fine." He highlighted the collaborative nature of filmmaking, where a division of actors and doubles are ready to step in.
Stepping into Younger Shoes: The Liberation of Playing a Child
But the surprises on the Wuthering Heights set didn't end there. Lucy London, a 25-year-old actress, found herself portraying a 14-year-old character. Due to regulations concerning the working hours of child actors and her 5ft (1.5m) stature, London is frequently called upon to stand in for younger performers. In Wuthering Heights, she took on the role of young Cathy, played by teenager Charlotte Mellington.
London described the experience of embodying a child as surprisingly liberating. "As adults, we overthink: 'How am I coming across? How's everyone perceiving me?'" she mused. "But children don't really do that... It's a lot of fun." For her, being an adult can sometimes feel mundane, making the opportunity to be a child for a day, especially on a movie set, a truly enjoyable gig. "I mean, it's a win-win situation really," she concluded.
The Thrill of the Stunt: Safety and Sacrifice
It's widely known that stunt performers often tackle the more perilous scenes to protect lead actors from injury. Nikita Mitchell, a British stunt performer, served as a stand-in for Margot Robbie on Wuthering Heights, building on their previous collaboration in the 2023 hit Barbie.
Mitchell explained that doubles can sometimes spend weeks or even months training alongside stars to perfectly mimic their movements for the camera. She acknowledged Robbie's bravery in performing many of her own stunts, even mentioning that Robbie's brother is a stunt performer and that she herself might have pursued a career in stunts had she not become an actress.
However, Mitchell did step in for some of the more precarious moments in Wuthering Heights to ensure Robbie's safety. This included scenes where Cathy is positioned precariously on a cliff edge and another where she is violently thrown into a tree by Heathcliff. Mitchell was present to test harnesses and wires beforehand and to ensure Robbie's safety when it was her turn. She even took a fall for Robbie during a scene where Cathy tumbles from a wall while observing the grounds of Edgar Linton's estate. Mitchell downplayed the "eight to 10ft" (2.4m to 3m) fall, noting that she has previously handled 150ft (46m) cliff drops (with wires).
Like Ponomari, Mitchell admitted it can be "disappointing" when audiences never see the work they've put in, but she also understands that it's "just part of the game." Regardless of whether their contributions make the final cut, stunt actors and body doubles are compensated for their time on a day-by-day basis.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the dedication and skill of body doubles and stunt performers are undeniable, and their work is crucial for filmmaking, it raises a question about authenticity. When a significant portion of a performance, especially an iconic or physically demanding one, is executed by someone else, how much of the on-screen portrayal truly belongs to the credited actor? Does the audience's perception of a character and their performance change when they know a double was involved? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
