Colman Domingo Set for Directorial Debut in Sammy Davis Jr. Biopic ‘Scandalous’ Starring David Jonsson and Sydney Sweeney

Colman Domingo is having a standout moment. The Oscar-nominated actor from *Rustin* is preparing to make his directorial debut with *Scandalous*, a film that explores the intense and complicated romance between legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. and actress Kim Novak. Hollywood has long needed a film about Davis, and with Domingo at the helm, it’s a major cultural win.

The film stars David Jonsson and Sydney Sweeney in the lead roles. Production is set to begin after Domingo and Sweeney wrap up filming for Euphoria Season 3. Originally, the project was in development before Jon Glickman became CEO of Miramax, with Janet Mock slated to direct and Jeremy Pope set to portray Davis. The screenplay was written by Matthew Fantaci.

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Sydney Sweeney is not only starring in the film but also played a key role in bringing the project together.

REAL LIFE STORY OF SAMMY DAVIS JR. & THE RAT PACK

The film according to IMDB, will chronicle the real-life love story between Sammy Davis Jr., a Rat Pack icon, and Kim Novak, star of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.”

“Novak and Davis were both at the height of their fame when they met on The Steve Allen Show. Their connection was instant and deep, but their relationship faced fierce backlash due to the rampant racism of the time. Novak endured pressure from Harry Cohn, the head of Columbia Pictures, where she was under contract. The affair became public when a Chicago gossip columnist revealed details of their relationship in early 1958, including rumors of marriage. Soon after, Davis married Black chorus girl Loray White, despite ongoing rumors about his relationship with Novak.”

David Jonsson, who portrays Sammy Davis Jr., has been on an impressive career trajectory, especially after his performance in Alien Romulus, where he earned widespread praise for his intense and captivating role. His rising star makes him a compelling choice to take on the role of Davis, a man whose life was filled with both public adoration and personal turmoil.

For Domingo, who also shares the screen with Sweeney in Euphoria, Scandalous represents his first time directing a feature film. Tackling themes of fame, forbidden love, and racial tensions in 1950s America, his debut as a filmmaker is highly anticipated, promising a fresh perspective on a lesser-known chapter in Davis’s life.