Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, the illustrious stars of the 1968 movie Romeo & Juliet, have once again embarked on a legal battle against entertainment giants Paramount Pictures and the Criterion Collection.
As reported by Fox News, this new filing revolves around the unauthorized inclusion of explicit imagery in the digital release of the iconic film.
In their lawsuit, the now-72-year-old Hussey and the now-73-year-old Whiting are seeking both preliminary and permanent injunctions to halt the distribution of the digital release, particularly objecting to what they label as "Digital Photos". These images, captured during the filming process by director Franco Zeffirelli, depict the actors in a vulnerable state of nudity while they were underage.
Hussey and Whiting were just 15 and 16 respectively when the Shakespeare adaptation hit theaters.
The actors allege that the recent digital release has digitally enhanced these images to display explicit details, a departure from the original artistic vision and an affront to their dignity.
Tony Marinozzi, the representative for both Hussey and Whiting, said in a statement: "With regards to the initial lawsuit with Paramount, things didn’t work out as planned... After an exhaustive search by our manager, Tony Marinozzi, we found two passionate lawyers... who... expressed a sincere and realistic optimism in filing new causes of action against Paramount and Criterion for their 2023 digitally vividly enhanced re-creation of our images."
He further elaborated on the emotional toll the unauthorized use of explicit imagery has taken on the actors, stating: "This case seeks damages for Paramount’s and Criterion's use of the product which has further humiliated us with its digitally enhanced private photos, which serve as a constant and painful reminder... We are confident that our voices will continue to be heard in our fight for accountability and firmly believe that Divine Justice will be done."
William Romaine and Zishan Lokhandwala, legal representatives of Hussey and Whiting, also elaborated on the intricacies of the case.
"On December 30 2023, our office did send Paramount’s counsel a letter that notified them among other things that they needed to cease and desist, remove the images that have been depicted in the 2023 digital film, which they never had consent to. And by the way, we received a rebuff letter from Paramount’s counsel that they would not be removing the images from the film on January 19, 2024," Lokhandwala revealed.
Romaine emphasized: "We want people to understand our suit relates only to the digital recreation... The clients felt [after they saw it] that effectively turned what was a classic into a p*rn flick."
Lokhandwala also underscored the significance of preserving the dignity and legacy of the actors following a role, saying: "This case is about the dignity in remembrance of two beloved individuals... No company – no matter how powerful – should be able to affect another person's remembrance and legacy without their consent."
As mentioned, this is not the first lawsuit the actors have filed in relation to the movie.
Last year, the actors filed an initial case citing alleged sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and fraud. They had sought $500 million in damages.
The suit claimed that the two young stars were informed by director Zeffirelli - who passed away back in 2019 - that they would be wearing flesh-colored underwear for an intimate bedroom scene. However, on the morning the scene was shot, the suit claims that Zeffirelli told the co-stars that they would now only be wearing body makeup and that the scene must be performed with no clothes "or the Picture would fail."
As Zeffirelli passed away in 2019, his son - Pippo - responded in a statement last year: "It is embarrassing to hear that today, 55 years after filming, two elderly actors who owe their notoriety essentially to this film wake up to declare that they have suffered an abuse that has caused them years of anxiety and emotional discomfort."
