The stars of the 1968 hit film are reportedly seeking more than $500 million in damages.
Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting claim that Zeffirelli broke his promise. PDO
British actors Olivia Hussey71, and Leonard Whiting, 72, are suing the Paramount film company. According to the duo, they were persuaded to appear naked in the legendary Romeo and Juliet in the movie.
The film company is accused of exploiting minors. Hussey was only 15 years old and Whiting 16 years old at the time of shooting the film released in 1968.
Originally, the actors were supposed to appear in skin-colored underwear in the bedroom scene. However, Franco Zeffirelli, who directed the film and died in 2019, decided otherwise at the last minute, because according to his opinion, the film would fail without nudity.
Franco Zeffirelli passed away in 2019 at the age of 96. PDO
Zeffirelli allegedly assured the duo that nudity would not be published in the film. However, Hussey’s bare breasts and Whiting’s rear are briefly seen in the film.
– What was alleged to them and what actually happened were two different things. They trusted Franco. They believed that he would not break his promise. Franco was their friend and frankly, what choice did they have? Not of any kind. At that time, there was no Me too campaign, taking care of the financial affairs of the acting duo Tony Marinozzi states.
Hussey and Whiting are demanding hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, citing emotional damage caused by the incident.
Source: Variety