More than 50 years after the theatrical release of “Romeo and Juliet”, the two main actors are now demanding millions in compensation from the production company for a nude scene.
Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting were only 15 and 16 years old when the 1968 Shakespeare adaptation by Franco Zeffirelli was filmed – i.e. underage.
According to the “Los Angeles Times” on Tuesday, the lawsuit, which has been filed but not yet published in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that the two were allegedly filmed naked without their knowledge. Both had previously been told that the camera was set up in such a way that no nudity was possible. In addition, both were initially promised skin-colored underwear for love scenes before they were said to have been asked to shoot nude themselves on the day of shooting. Hussey’s breasts and Whiting’s bottom are briefly seen in the drama.
The two suffered more than $500 million in damage from alleged sexual abuse, sexual harassment and fraud, given the decades of pain and film revenue.
“Romeo and Juliet” was a huge hit at the box office upon release, winning Oscars for cinematography and costume design in 1969. After that, however, the two main actors did not succeed in any major roles. In the lawsuit, the two also state, according to Variety, that they missed out on later engagements because of the scene.
A few years ago, Hussey had defended the scene. The 71-year-old actress told Variety in 2018 that director Zeffirelli tastefully designed the scene. “She was necessary for the film.” That same year, she told Fox News, “It wasn’t a big deal.”
Variety Los Angeles Times
