A Prophetic Joke About Method Acting (Image Credits: Cdn01.justjared.com)
Yorkshire Moors – A routine evening shower turned into a medical emergency for actor Jacob Elordi during the initial days of production on Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights.[1]
A Prophetic Joke About Method Acting
The incident unfolded amid discussions about embodying Heathcliff’s rugged character. Makeup artist Siân Miller designed whip scars for Elordi’s back, then quipped that a true Method actor like Daniel Day-Lewis would arrive with authentic marks. Elordi fired back in jest, declaring he would “maim” himself over the weekend to prove his commitment.[2]
Hours later, reality imitated the banter. Elordi, determined to scrub off the day’s grime from rolling in moors mud, stepped into his temporary home’s steam shower. Unlike his experience on Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, where heavy makeup made nightly washes impractical, he prioritized thorough cleaning this time.[1]
The 28-year-old leaned against a scalding brass steam knob protruding from the wall. The contact seared his skin, resulting in second-degree burns that required immediate hospital treatment.[1][3]
Director Fennell’s Alarming Alert
Emerald Fennell, who previously helmed Elordi in Saltburn, received a frantic text from producer Josey McNamara in the shoot’s first week. The message simply stated that Elordi was in the hospital. Fennell braced for catastrophe, assuming a car crash on the remote moors.[2]
Relief mixed with disbelief followed the clarification: a shower mishap. “He’s burnt his back in the shower,” McNamara explained. Fennell later probed Elordi on whether the burn aligned with Day-Lewis-level dedication. He replied wryly, “It was actual Daniel Day-Lewis. In the shower.”[4]
The director highlighted the timing’s eeriness, tying it to the production’s supernatural undertones. Wuthering Heights, set for release on February 13, draws from Emily Brontë’s tale of passion and ghosts amid harsh landscapes.[5]
From Frankenstein Monster to Tortured Heathcliff
Elordi’s back-to-back roles demanded physical transformation. In Frankenstein, he portrayed the Creature under layers of prosthetics for up to 10 hours daily, leading to skipped showers. Wuthering Heights shifted him to co-lead opposite Margot Robbie as Cathy, navigating gothic romance in unforgiving terrain.[1]
The moors shoot evoked a profound atmosphere. Elordi described an immediate spiritual connection upon arrival, enhancing the film’s haunting vibe. Recent premieres showcased the duo’s chemistry, with Robbie and Elordi bringing gothic glamour to red carpets.[6]
- Filming location: Yorkshire Moors, evoking Brontë’s original setting.
- Co-star: Margot Robbie as Cathy Earnshaw.
- Director: Emerald Fennell, known for Saltburn and Promising Young Woman.
- Prior project: Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, contrasting hygiene routines.
- Injury timing: First week, post-makeup scar discussion.
- Treatment: Hospital visit for second-degree burns on back.
Unforeseen Risks of Remote Productions
Shoots in isolated areas like the Yorkshire Moors amplify everyday hazards. Steam showers, common in rural rentals, pose hidden dangers if not calibrated properly. Elordi’s experience underscores the vulnerabilities actors face beyond scripted perils.[7]
Productions often adapt to such setbacks swiftly. Filming continued uninterrupted, bolstered by the cast’s resilience. Elordi’s candor in an Esquire interview, shared while promoting the film, humanizes the glamour of stardom.[8]
Key Takeaways:
- The burn eerily echoed a same-day joke about Heathcliff’s scars.
- Elordi’s hygiene shift from Frankenstein contributed to the accident.
- Fennell likened the coincidence to on-set “spiritual occurrences.”
This peculiar episode serves as a reminder that art’s intensity can spill into unexpected real-life drama. As Wuthering Heights approaches theaters, fans anticipate how Elordi’s real scars informed his brooding portrayal. What do you make of this twist of fate? Share your thoughts in the comments.
