Franco Zeffirelli’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ sued over nudity scene as minors after 55 years

The main characters of the 1968 film “Romeo and Juliet” they allege in a new lawsuit that they were sexually harassed, defrauded and sexually assaulted over the nude scene in the play. Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting were under 18 when they played in Franco Zeffirelli’s filmwhich earned several Academy Award nominations and two awards.

The two stars, who are now over 70 years old, are accusing Paramount Pictures of sexual exploitation and distribution of nude images of children. They are asking for more than 500 million euros.

Paramount did not respond to The New York Post’s request for comment.

“What they were told and what happened were two different things,” said Tony Marinozzi, the cast’s manager. “They trusted Franco. At 16, as actors, they took his example that he would not violate that trust they had,” he added.

“Franco was their friend, and honestly, at 16, what are they going to do?” Marinozzi also added that at that time “there were no options and #MeToo”.


Source: News Beast

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