Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar reflects on Jacob Elordi’s rapid rise and wonders whether the actor has yet to prove his full potential.
Almodovar, who recently appeared on the Spanish-language podcast La Pija y la Quinqui, gave a frank assessment of Elordi’s career when asked if he would consider casting him in a future project. His comments were delivered in Spanish and translated.
Almodóvar acknowledged Elordi’s growing star power and said he believed the Australian actor was “definitely” on track to become a big star. Still, he admitted he’s still unsure how to define himself, raising the question of whether Elordi is primarily a sex symbol or a performer with a deeper dramatic range.
“I’ve always wondered if he’s just a sex symbol or a respected actor,” Almodovar said, adding that he would need to see Elordi in more demanding roles before coming to a definite conclusion.
The director also criticized some of Elordi’s recent projects, claiming that the actor’s abilities were not fully utilized. He cited “Wuthering Heights” and “Frankenstein,” suggesting that the material limits opportunities for more layered performances. Almodovar frankly characterized Wuthering Heights as “very bad,” but pointed out that neither Elordi nor co-star Margot Robbie were to blame.
Regarding Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, Almodóvar said the role could be “comfortable” for the actor, arguing that modern interpretations of the character rely more on stylization and physical presence than emotional range.
“We need to see him in a different role where he’s required more, at least I think so,” he said. Elordi’s profile has skyrocketed in recent years, with her roles in Euphoria, Priscilla, Saltburn, and the award-season hit Frankenstein. The actor has expressed interest in appearing in Spanish-language films, but says he needs to learn Spanish first.
