Yahoo Finance Actors from 1968's “Romeo and Juliet” Sue Studio Again Over Their Nude Scene
Actors Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting's new complaint also names Criterion Collection and Janus Films
Courtesy Everett Collection
Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting filed a new complaint against Paramount Pictures, this time over the Criterion Collection home release of Romeo and Juliet.
Hussey and Whiting, who were both under 18 at the time of filming the 1968 Shakespeare adaptation, previously filed a lawsuit that was dismissed, accusing the studio of sexual harassment, fraud, sexual abuse and intentional infliction of emotional distress with a nude scene involving minors.
The initial complaint alleged that late director Franco Zeffirelli told Hussey, now 72, and Whiting, now 73, the film would not include nudity and used flesh-colored clothing for the scene in question, until he allegedly suggested the movie "would fail" unless the stars performed the scene nude while wearing body makeup on the last day of filming.
Hussey and Whiting alleged the director lied and they were ultimately filmed nude without their knowledge.
That original lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in May 2023.
A new complaint — tied to an at-home Criterion re-release of the film — reads, in part, "Nothing in the agreement for Hussey’s performance with B.H.E. granted, or recognized a right in B.H.E. to recreate, republish, or redistribute photographs of her performance in the Original Work in any other medium or format than 35 mm analogue cinematographic photographs."
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Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey on April 26, 2018, in Hollywood, CaliforniaRelated: 'Romeo and Juliet' Sexual Exploitation Lawsuit Over Nude Scene Involving Minors Dismissed by Judge
Furthermore, "Neither Whiting, nor his guardian ever consented in writing to perform as an actor in the Original Work, nor did he ever purport to give, or recognize any rights in his performance to B.H.E., or any other entity, including, but not limited to the right to recreate, republish, or redistribute photographs of his performance in the Original Work in any other medium or format than 35 mm analogue cinematographic photographs," according to the complaint.
An attorney for Hussey and Whiting, as well as reps for the defendants — Paramount, Criterion Collection and Janus Films, which owns Criterion — did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.
According to court documentation, Hussey and Whiting are seeking "damages in a sum according to proof that is adequate to compensate" them "for their economic injuries suffered as herein above alleged," as well as "general injuries suffered as herein above alleged."
They are also seeking "punitive, or exemplary damages in a sum sufficient to punish and/or make an example of them and/or to deter such conduct in the future," "preliminary and permanent injunction that the Digital Release not be distributed with the Digital Photos included," "costs of this action" and "such other and further relief as the court may deem appropriate."
Courtesy Everett Collection
Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet (1968)Related: 'Romeo and Juliet' Stars Sue Paramount Pictures Over Sexual Exploitation in 1968 Film
Whiting and Hussey's original lawsuit relied on a recent California law that temporarily suspended the statute of limitations regarding claims of child sexual abuse that had a deadline of Dec. 31, 2022.
In May 2023, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Alison Mackenzie indicated she would dismiss the lawsuit, saying the film's content didn't rise to the level of child pornography and noted that the plaintiffs didn't follow all the steps to comply with the California law.
The actors' attorney Solomon Gresen "strongly denounced" the judge's decision at the time, according to a press release, and said they planned to move forward with a federal lawsuit over a 2023 re-release of Romeo and Juliet.
"We firmly believe that the exploitation and sexualization of minors in the film industry must be confronted and legally addressed to protect vulnerable individuals from harm and ensure the enforcement of existing laws," said Gresen at the time.
The December 2022 filing said the actors were seeking compensation "believed to be in excess of $500 million" to match the amount of money the film has earned since 1968.
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