Romeo And Juliet Lawsuit Update: On Thursday, a judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by actors Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, who were part of Franco Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet” film. The actors, now 72 years old, had initially claimed that a nude scene in the 1968 film constituted child pornography and that they were sexually abused during its filming.
Superior Court Judge Alison Mackenzie granted a motion from defendant Paramount Pictures to dismiss the lawsuit. Judge Mackenzie ruled that the film scene was protected by the First Amendment. She explained that Hussey and Whiting had not provided any evidence or legal precedent to establish that the film could be deemed explicitly sexually suggestive and therefore conclusively illegal.
With this ruling, the judge concluded that the actors’ claims did not hold sufficient legal ground to proceed with the lawsuit.
According to the claims made by the “Romeo and Juliet” actors, Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, director Franco Zeffirelli initially assured them that they would not have to film a nude scene and instead would wear flesh-colored garments. However, when it came time to shoot the scene, Zeffirelli allegedly insisted that the two teenagers be nude, stating that the success of the film depended on it.
Despite the controversial nude scene, the film itself and its theme song became major successes, and it has been widely shown to generations of high school students studying Shakespeare’s tragedy.
In response to the dismissal of their lawsuit, an attorney representing the actors has stated their intention to refile the case in federal court. The attorney, Solomon Gresen, emphasized the belief that the exploitation and sexualization of minors in the film industry must be addressed and legally confronted. Their goal is to protect vulnerable individuals from harm and ensure the enforcement of existing laws.
Paramount’s attorney chose not to provide a comment regarding the ruling on the lawsuit.
In response to the lawsuit, Pippo Zeffirelli, the son of the film director Franco Zeffirelli, expressed his disagreement and criticized the actors’ claims. He stated that it is embarrassing to hear, 55 years after the filming took place, that the two actors, who owe much of their fame to this film, now declare that they have endured abuse causing them years of anxiety and emotional distress. Pippo Zeffirelli shared these remarks with The Guardian in a statement.