'They Trusted Franco': Romeo And Juliet stars sue Paramount for $500M over deceptive n*de scene.
55 years later, Hollywood icons Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting have filed a massive $500 million lawsuit against Paramount over a controversial n*de scene from 1968's Romeo and Juliet. The duo alleges deceit and exploitation.
Updated : October 20, 2023 05:27 PM IST55 years later, Hollywood icons Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting have filed a massive $500 million lawsuit against Paramount over a controversial n*de scene from 1968's Romeo and Juliet. The duo alleges deceit and exploitation.
Romeo and Juliet 1968 (Source: Guardian)
Romeo & Juliet's Scandalous Bedroom Scene: Hollywood Heavyweights' $500M Feud with Paramount
The iconic tale of "Romeo and Juliet" has been told countless times, but it's a single moment from Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 adaptation that's currently lighting up the tabloids. Paramount, the film giant, finds itself ensnared in a legal showdown, with the film’s now septuagenarian stars leading the charge over a controversial bedroom scene.
A Box Office Triumph Shadowed by Controversy:
The Franco Zeffirelli-directed magnum opus wasn't just known for its poetic treatment, but also for one particular scene that raised quite a few eyebrows. As it turns out, the very same scene is now casting a long shadow over Paramount's legacy.
Promises Broken and Trusts Betrayed:
Actors Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, both in their prime during the film, are now coming forth with bold allegations. The two claim that the scene, which highlighted their teenage bodies, was shot without their full consent or knowledge. They had been promised by the late Zeffirelli that the filming would utilize flesh-coloured undergarments to maintain their privacy. But the final reel told a different tale. "What they were told and what went on were two different things," Tony Marinozzi, their business manager, echoed this sentiment, reminiscing how they trusted Zeffirelli, their mentor, and friend. In a pre-#MeToo era, the duo felt isolated and trapped without any recourse.
Now, after decades of purported mental agony and missed Hollywood opportunities, the duo has taken the legal route, demanding a jaw-dropping $500 million in compensation for the alleged deceit and exploitation.
It's not just about a scene; it's about holding those accountable in an industry known for its shimmering lights and dark secrets. As the lawsuit takes center stage, Hollywood awaits Paramount's response.
Will justice prevail for the legendary Romeo and Juliet pair? With bated breath, the world watches.
(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)