The iconic stars of the 1968 Oscar-winning film “Romeo and Juliet,” Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey, have taken legal action against Paramount Pictures, claiming they were subjected to s–ual abuse during a n^de scene in the movie when they were teenagers.
Whiting and Hussey, now in their 70s, assert that director Franco Zeffirelli pushed them to perform n^de scenes despite assurances to the contrary.
The actors are demanding over $500 million in damages, citing the emotional distress they have endured and the profits generated by the film over the years.
Allegedly, Zeffirelli initially assured them that they would wear flesh-colored underwear for a bedroom scene.
However, on the day of filming, he purportedly instructed them to wear only body makeup, promising that the camera angles would prevent explicit nudity.
Ultimately, the final cut of the film displayed Whiting’s bare buttocks and Hussey’s bare bre-sts in the controversial sequence.
According to the lawsuit, the director allegedly threatened the young actors, emphasizing that the success of the picture hinged on their compliance with his demands.
Feeling coerced, Whiting, aged 16 during filming and now 72, and Hussey, who was 15 at the time and is now 71, reluctantly agreed to act without clothes as stipulated.
Accusing Paramount of s–ual exploitation, s–ual harassment, and fraud, the legal action also condemns the studio for allegedly distributing indecent images of underage performers.
The court filing claims that Whiting and Hussey have grappled with psychological trauma for decades due to their mistreatment.
Despite the film’s critical acclaim and enduring popularity, earning accolades at the Oscars, the actors’ recent legal challenge underscores the lasting impact of their alleged exploitation on their lives.
Filed under California’s statute of limitations suspension for child s=x abuse cases, the lawsuit signals a resurgence of similar legal actions within the entertainment industry.
Tony Marinozzi, the actors’ business manager, expressed their sense of betrayal by Zeffirelli and Paramount, explaining that fear of professional repercussions and disbelief prevented them from coming forward earlier.
He highlighted the evolving cultural landscape, such as the #MeToo movement, that now enables survivors to share their experiences more openly.
In a statement, Solomon Gresen, the actors’ attorney, emphasized the unlawful nature of displaying n^de images of minors and underscored the vulnerable position in which Whiting and Hussey found themselves as inexperienced young actors thrust into the limelight.
Reflecting on the past, Hussey defended the controversial scene as artistically justified, noting the innovative approach taken by Zeffirelli in capturing it tastefully.
She remarked on the disparity between American and European attitudes towards n^dty during that era, highlighting the cultural nuances that surrounded the film’s production.
As the legal battle unfolds, the lawsuit against Paramount sheds light on the complexities of navigating exploitation and consent in the entertainment industry, particularly through the lens of historical incidents that continue to resonate with those involved.
