Announced in April 2008,
Natalie Portman was originally set to star as
Cathy in a new
film adaptation of the novel, but she withdrew in May. In May 2008, director
John Maybury cast
Michael Fassbender as Heathcliff and
Abbie Cornish as Cathy. However, in May 2009,
Peter Webber was announced as the new director, with
Ed Westwick and
Gemma Arterton attached to play Heathcliff and Cathy respectively. However, the film did not get off the ground and in January 2010, it was announced that
Andrea Arnold would direct the adaptation. In April, she cast
Kaya Scodelario as Catherine, a more age-appropriate choice than previous adaptations. Due to Brontë's description of Heathcliff as a "dark-skinned gypsy in aspect" and "a little
Lascar", Arnold searched for an actor from the UK's
Romani community. However, the community had some doubts. The search was then expanded to Yorkshire actors aged 16 to 21 of mixed race, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Middle Eastern descent. In November, it was reported that James Howson had been cast as Heathcliff, the first time a black actor would portray the role.
Lucy Pardee was in charge of casting the children in the film (Gail Stevens cast the adults). Pardee auditioned private school children with no history of acting.
Principal photography concluded in November 2010. ==Promotion and release==