The lead actor in the 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet has filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures for sexual harassment over the movie’s silent scenes.
The suit was filed by the stars of the film, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whitingon Friday, December 30, accusing the studio of “sexual abuse, sexual harassment and fraud,” according to Associated Press. Costars stated that the director Franco Zeffirelli – who died in 2019 – told the two actors that the film would not have sex and that for the bedroom scene they would both wear flesh-colored underwear.
The lawsuit alleges that Zeffirelli then suggested that the cast either film naked or that the film “failed”. At the time of production, Hussey was 15 years old and Whiting was 16 years old.
“What was said and what happened are two different things,” the business manager of the actors Tony Marinozzi toward variety on Tuesday, January 3. “They believed in Franco. At the age of 16, as an actor, he took the lead not to violate the trust he had. Franco is a friend, and frankly, at 16, what is he doing? There is no choice. There is no #MeToo.”
The critically acclaimed romantic drama was a box-office success when it was released in 1968, and Hussey has previously defended the film’s controversial nudity scenes. The Shakespeare adaptation went on to receive four Academy Award nominations and was awarded for Best Costume Design and Best Cinematography in 1969.
In August 2018, Hussey spoke to At Guardian about her role in the film in honor of its 50th anniversary. “I love playing Juliet,” the Argentine said at the time. “The part I don’t like is all the homework. It was tiring, and I was a wild child.
Hussey and Whiting, who are now in their 70s, have filed a lawsuit in Santa Monica Superior Court 55 years after the film’s initial release. according to varietyCalifornia law temporarily suspends statute of limitations for old child sexual abuse claims until December 31, 2022 deadline.
The complaint also alleges that the actors have suffered mental pain and emotional distress since the release of the film. The couple claimed they had lost their job opportunities, despite their achievements in the Oscar-winning picture. The couple is seeking $500 million in damages, each Associated Press.
Keep scrolling to learn more about it Romeo and Juliet and Paramount’s lawsuit:
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‘Romeo and Juliet’ Stars Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting Sue Paramount for Sexual Harassment More than 50 Years After 1968 Film: Everything You Need to Know
The lead actor in the 1968 film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet has filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures for sexual harassment over the movie’s silent scenes. The suit was filed by the stars of the film, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whitingon Friday, December 30, accusing the studio of “sexual abuse, sexual harassment and fraud,” according to Associated Press. Costars stated that the director Franco Zeffirelli – who died in 2019 – told the two actors that the film would not have sex and that for the bedroom scene they would both wear flesh-colored underwear. The lawsuit alleges that Zeffirelli then suggested that the cast either film naked or that the film “failed”. At the time of production, Hussey was 15 years old and Whiting was 16 years old. Tony Marinozzi toward variety on Tuesday, January 3. “They believed in Franco. At the age of 16, as an actor, he took the lead not to violate the trust he had. Franco is a friend, and frankly, at 16, what is he doing? There is no choice. There is no #MeToo.”
[jwplayer SlrS4mmG-zhNYySv2]The critically acclaimed romantic drama was a box-office success when it was released in 1968, and Hussey has previously defended the film’s controversial nudity scenes. The Shakespeare adaptation went on to receive four Academy Award nominations and won awards for Best Costume Design and Best Cinematography in 1969. In August 2018, Hussey spoke to At Guardian about her role in the film in honor of its 50th anniversary. “I love playing Juliet,” the Argentine said at the time. “The part I don’t like is all the homework. It was tiring, and I was a wild child. Hussey and Whiting, who are now in their 70s, have filed a lawsuit in Santa Monica Superior Court 55 years after the film’s initial release. according to variety, California law temporarily suspended the statute of limitations for old claims of child sexual abuse until the deadline of December 31, 2022. The complaint also states that the actor has suffered from mental and emotional distress since the release of the film. The couple claimed they had lost their job opportunities, despite their achievements in the Oscar-winning picture. The couple is seeking $500 million in damages, each Associated Press. Keep scrolling to learn more about it Romeo and Juliet and Paramount’s lawsuit:
Credit: Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
Who are Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting?
The film’s lead actors, Hussey (Juliet) and Whiting (Romeo), have filed a lawsuit against the film studio. The couple were still teenagers when the film was produced.
Both entertainers continued to have limited roles after the film’s release, despite the film’s success. Hussey then took the role Jesus of Nazareth, Death on the Nile and Black Christmas. Whiting, for his part, was on Giacomo Casanova: Childhood and Adolescence, Frankenstein: The True Story and Social suicide.
Credit: Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
What Are ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Stars Claiming in Lawsuits?
The actors claimed that the film’s director assured them that there would be no nudity in the production, but Zeffirelli was later advised to shoot the bedroom scene naked to prevent the film from failing.
Credit: Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
What Are ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Stars Looking for in Lawsuits?
Hussey and Whiting are reportedly seeking $500 million – the same amount the film has made since its 1968 release – for the emotional and physical pain they claim they have suffered as a result of the alleged harassment.
Credit: Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
When is a Claim Filed?
The lawsuit was filed on December 30, 2022, in Santa Monica, California, one day before the temporary extension statute expired.
Credit: Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
What Paramount Says About Claims?
Paramount has not commented on the current lawsuit.