Ashley Judd Takes Legal Action Against Harvey Weinstein, Alleging Career Sabotage

Ashley Judd has initiated legal proceedings against Harvey Weinstein, claiming that his series of retaliatory actions, defamation, and obstruction directed at women who rejected his advances have negatively impacted her professional trajectory.

The lawsuit centers on reports suggesting that Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh sought to cast Judd in the Lord of the Rings films supported by Weinstein's Miramax in 1998.

Allegedly, Weinstein, in response to Judd declining his advances, deliberately undermined her potential involvement in the project by tarnishing her reputation to Jackson and Walsh, labeling her as difficult to work with.

By spreading unfounded rumors, Weinstein effectively marginalized Judd, impeding her opportunities within a highly successful franchise that garnered numerous Academy Awards and accolades, according to the lawsuit.

Moreover, the legal document contends that Weinstein's actions were rooted in retaliation against Judd for rejecting his advances approximately a year earlier during a business meeting at a hotel room where he allegedly abused his power to intimidate her.

Despite previous denials from a representative asserting that Judd was not blacklisted, recent court filings challenge this stance, emphasizing Weinstein's significant influence within the entertainment industry aimed at stifling Judd's career prospects.

This lawsuit emerges amidst the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings of The Weinstein Company, which collapsed following extensive s–ual misconduct allegations against Weinstein unearthed in 2017.

Judd played a pivotal role in exposing Weinstein's behavior through media outlets like the New York Times.

In response to these developments, Judd emphasized the detrimental impact of Weinstein's actions on aspiring professionals in the film industry, pledging any financial reparations received from the lawsuit to charitable organizations supporting victims of harassment and abuse.

Weinstein, who faced termination from The Weinstein Company's board following the scandal, remains under investigation across multiple jurisdictions for alleged instances of assault.

Despite vehemently denying accusations through his spokesperson, over a hundred women have come forward with claims against him.

In light of Judd's legal actions, Weinstein's representatives issued a statement acknowledging the lawsuit but refrained from further comment on the matter, underscoring the continued scrutiny and repercussions faced by the disgraced producer.