Paramount ‘Romeo and Juliet’ trial: Everything you need to know – CNET – ApparelGeek

The main cast of the 1968 film adaptation Romeo and Juliet filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures for sexual harassment on the film’s nude scene. The complaint was filed by the stars of the film, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Merlanon Friday, December 30, accusing the studio of “sexual abuse, sexual harassment and fraud,” according to the Associated press. The costars claimed that director Franco Zeffirelli – who died in 2019 – told the two actors that the film would have no nudity and that for the bedroom scene the duo would wear flesh-colored underwear. The lawsuit alleges Zeffirelli later suggested that the performers filmed the scene naked or the film would “fail.” At the time of production, Hussey was 15 and Whiting was 16. “What they were told and what happened were two different things,” the actors’ business manager said. Tony Marinozzi Told The variety Tuesday, January 3. “They trusted Franco. At 16, as actors, they understood that he wouldn’t violate that trust that they had. Franco was their friend, and frankly, at 16, what do they do? There are no options. There was no #MeToo.

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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 nude scene. Shakespeare’s adaptation went on to earn four Oscar nominations and won Best Costume Design and Best Cinematography in 1969. In August 2018, Hussey spoke with the Guardian on his role in the film in honor of his 50th birthday. “I loved playing Juliet,” the Argentina native said at the time. “The only part I didn’t like was all the PR. It was exhausting, and I was this wild little thing. Hussey and Whiting, who are now both in their 60s, filed their suit in Santa Monica Superior Court 55 years after the film’s initial release. According to The variety, California law temporarily suspended the statute of limitations for older claims of child sexual abuse until the December 31, 2022, deadline. The complaint also says the actors are suffering from mental anguish and emotional distress. since the film’s release. The couple claim to have lost job opportunities, despite their outstanding performances in the Oscar-winning picture. The couple are seeking $500 million in damages, according to the Associated press. Keep scrolling to learn more about the Romeo and Juliet and Paramount lawsuit:

The film’s lead actors, Hussey (Juliet) and Whiting (Romeo), have filed a lawsuit against the film studio. The couple were teenagers when the film was in production.

Both artists continued to have limited roles after the film’s release, despite the film’s success. Hussey then landed roles in jesus of nazareth, Death on the Nile and black christmas. Whiting, for his part, was in Giacomo Casanova: Childhood and adolescence, Frankenstein: The True Story and social suicide.

The actors allege that the film’s director assured them that there would be no nudity in the production, but Zeffirelli later suggested that they should shoot the bedroom scene naked to prevent the film from being filmed. ‘failed.

Hussey and Whiting are reportedly seeking $500 million – the equivalent of the amount of money the film has earned since its release in 1968 – for the emotional and physical pain they claim to have suffered as a result of the alleged harassment.

The lawsuit was filed on December 30, 2022 in Santa Monica, Calif., a day before the temporary extension of the statute of limitations expired.

Paramount has not commented on the lawsuit at this time.