A Prophetic Joke in the Makeup Chair (Image Credits: Cdn01.justjared.com)
Jacob Elordi encountered a bizarre mishap early in production on Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights that sent him straight to the hospital.[1]
A Prophetic Joke in the Makeup Chair
The incident began with lighthearted banter that took an uncanny turn. Makeup artist Siân Miller worked on designs for whip scars across Heathcliff’s back, the brooding role Elordi portrayed. She teased that a true method actor like Daniel Day-Lewis would arrive with authentic scars already in place.[2]
Elordi fired back in jest. He declared he would maim himself over the weekend to prove his dedication to the character. Production crew members later reflected on the moment’s strange foresight, especially given what unfolded that very evening.[3]
This exchange highlighted the intense preparation behind the film, which also stars Margot Robbie. Elordi drew from his recent experience as the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, where heavy makeup left him skipping thorough showers most nights.[1]
The Scalding Moment in the Steam Shower
Determined to stay clean amid the film’s muddy moors scenes, Elordi stepped into a steam shower at his temporary residence. The fixture featured a brass knob protruding from the wall that released hot steam. As he scrubbed his feet, covered in daily grime, he leaned back too quickly.[4]
The contact seared his back, resulting in second-degree burns. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital during the shoot’s first week. The 28-year-old actor later described the pain but noted his resolve to immerse fully in Heathcliff’s rugged world.[5]
Unlike his Frankenstein routine, where makeup buildup made washing feet a low priority, this production demanded meticulous hygiene. That shift in habit proved fateful.
Director Fennell’s Alarming Wake-Up Call
Emerald Fennell received a urgent text from producer Josey McNamara amid early filming. It simply stated that Elordi was in the hospital. Her mind raced to worst-case scenarios like a car crash.[2]
“Obviously I thought, ‘Oh my god, he’s had a car accident,’ and then he was like, ‘He’s burnt his back in the shower,’” Fennell recounted in the Esquire conversation.[6] She probed whether the injury aligned with Daniel Day-Lewis’s method spirit. Elordi quipped, “It was actual Daniel Day-Lewis. In the shower.”
The director, who previously helmed Elordi in Saltburn, saw humor in the chaos. She instructed the producer to lead with the shower detail in updates.
Echoes of the Moors and Method Madness
The timing fueled speculation of something supernatural on set. Elordi sensed a spiritual pull upon first reaching the moors, Wuthering Heights’ haunting backdrop. The burn aligned perfectly with the scar discussion, blurring lines between coincidence and the story’s gothic vibe.[7]
Here’s a quick timeline of the odd sequence:
- Makeup artist jokes about real scars for Heathcliff’s back.
- Elordi vows playfully to injure himself.
- That night, steam shower knob causes second-degree burns.
- Hospital visit prompts panicked texts to director.
- Cast and crew link it to the role’s intensity.
Fennell embraced the anecdote as emblematic of the production’s wild energy. The film arrives in theaters February 13, promising brooding passion amid Yorkshire’s windswept landscapes.[6]
Elordi’s mishap underscores the physical toll of transformative roles, turning a routine shower into a trial by fire. Yet it also amplified his bond with Heathcliff’s tormented soul. What do you make of this spooky set story? Share in the comments.
Key Takeaways
- A makeup joke preceded Elordi’s real back burns by hours.
- Second-degree injury stemmed from a hot steam knob contact.
- Director Fennell mistook it initially for a serious crash.
