Stars of 1968 ‘Romeo and Juliet’ sue Paramount about nude scene filmed when they have been minors

The stars of 1968’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ are suing around the nude scene they filmed when they were just 15 and 16 decades outdated. 

Olivia Hussey, 71, and Leonard Whiting, 72, filed a lawsuit Friday in Santa Monica Remarkable Court accusing the studio of sexual harassment, fraud, sexual abuse, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Hussey and Whiting say director Franco Zeffirelli initially instructed them there would not be any nudity in the movie but on the very last day of filming, he allegedly stated the movie ‘would fail’ except if they executed a scene nude whilst putting on system makeup. 

The pair are in search of damages ‘believed to be in surplus of 500 million.’  

Olivia Hussey, 71, and Leonard Whiting, 72, submitted a lawsuit Friday in Santa Monica Superior Courtroom

The pair is accusing the studio of sexual harassment, fraud, sexual abuse, and intentional infliction of emotional distress

The lawsuit also alleges the pair had been filmed nude without the need of their expertise.

‘What they ended up explained to and what went on ended up two various issues,’ mentioned Tony Marinozzi, a business supervisor for the actors, in a statement. 

‘They trustworthy Franco. At 16, as actors, they took his direct that he would not violate that have confidence in they had,’ the manager said. 

‘Franco was their buddy, and frankly, at 16, what do they do?’ Marinozzi included in a assertion to the outlet. ‘There are no possibilities. There was no #MeToo.’

The fit alleges Zefrelli showed the actors exactly where the digital camera would be placed but that no nudity would be filmed or introduced. 

Hussey and Whiting imagined ‘they experienced no option but to act in the nude with system make-up as demanded on the past day of filming.’

The lawsuit also alleges the pair had been filmed nude without their expertise (pictured in 2018)

The motion picture was released in 1968 to essential acclaim 

Hussey and Whiting say director Franco Zeffirelli at first told them there would not be any nudity in the movie

The lawsuit also alleges the pair were being filmed nude with out their information

In a assertion to Variety, Solomon Gresen, the legal professional for the pair mentioned the actors ‘were incredibly younger naïve children in the ’60s who had no knowledge of what was about to strike them.’

The pair mentioned the scene induced them extensive-expression fiscal, bodily, and psychological discomfort.  

The movie also cost Hussey and Whiting ‘a lifetime of loss of earnings and other work gains and career alternatives,’ according to the grievance. 

‘All of a sudden they had been well known at a level they hardly ever envisioned, and in addition they were violated in a way they did not know how to deal with,’ Gresen claimed.

The $500 million in damages the pair is searching for matches the volume the movie has made considering the fact that its release in 1968. 

The pair said the scene triggered them extended-term economical, physical, and emotional pain 

The movie also charge Hussey and Whiting ‘a life span of reduction of earnings and other work positive aspects and task options,’ in accordance to the complaint

The $500 million in damages the pair is looking for matches the amount of money the film has made because its launch in 1968

In an interview from 2018, Hussey claimed Zerffirelli referred to her as ‘Boobs O’Mina’ and that he admitted she was the unrequited like of his daily life.  

At the time, Hussey also reported she ‘loved participating in Juliet’ but that the push was ‘exhausting.’

According to Assortment, the actors’ lawsuit depends on a California regulation that briefly suspended the statute of restrictions on baby sexual abuse statements. 

That legislation experienced a December 31, 2022 deadline. 

In a job interview from 2018, Hussey claimed Zerffirelli referred to her as ‘Boobs O’Mina’

In accordance to Assortment, the actors’ lawsuit depends on a California law that briefly suspended the statute of limits on baby sexual abuse claims

Hussey and Whiting assumed ‘they had no choice but to act in the nude with physique makeup as demanded on the very last day of filming’