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The two protagonists of the film Romeo and Juliet since 1968 the Paramount Pictures film studio has been suing for a nude scene. The actors, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, were 15 and 16 at the time. Now they are asking for more than 500 million dollars because they say they have been duped.
Director Franco Zeffirelli, who passed away in 2019, allegedly told them to wear skin-colored underwear during the scene. But on the day of the shoot, they would be told that they would only make up their bodies. They also said that he was told that the camera was set up so as not to see nudity.
According to the two, the fact that the film eventually included a nude scene goes against local and federal child abuse laws. The actors say in the accusation that they felt compelled to take off their clothes; otherwise the film would fail, was the message.
Damaged career
Hussey and Whiting say they suffered emotionally for years as a result of the events. It would also hurt their careers. In determining the fee, the two also point to the great success that the film has had.
It’s surprising that Hussey, now 71, defended the nude scene in 2018 in a conversation with Variety magazine. Zeffirelli is said to have set the scene with gusto. Also, nudity was going to be necessary for the film.
As far as is known, Paramount has not yet responded to the request.
