In the Spring of 1966, Leonard Whiting, then 15 years old, and Olivia Hussey, then 14 years old, auditioned for the iconic film, loved by all, Romeo and Juliet.
Paramount executives, Director Franco Zeffirelli, and other producers were holding the auditions.
Hussey and Whiting were secretly chosen by Zeffirelli. Paramount and Zeffirelli withheld this information from the public, to build up the suspense behind who would be chosen for these leading roles.
Hussey and Whiting were sent to be trained for Zeffirelli's adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.
The roles of Romeo and Juliet were formally announced publicly in London, England. Hussey and Whiting were 15 years old and 16 years old at the time they were announced for their roles of Romeo and Juliet.
Filming began - Hussey and Whiting were both 16 years old on the first day of shooting the film.
Once in Italy, the young actors were exposed to drinking and smoking. Both actors never finished their high school educations nor were given tutors during the production of the film.
The last scene to be shot was the bedroom scene. Zeffirelli changed the plans on the day of the shoot from flesh-colored undergarments to nudity. There was no one on the set to protect these underage actors from Zeffirelli's decision on that day. Franco assured the young actors that no nudity would be used or seen in the film.
Underage consent = no consent
Paramount had the right to edit the film.
Approximately 4 years of Hussey and Whiting's young lives were dedicated to the preparation, production, and promotion of Romeo and Juliet. They were paid $2,400 (1,500 pds.) each for their roles as Romeo and Juliet, and to this date have received no royalties nor residuals. Paramount has sold Hussey and Whiting's underage nude images for over 55 years and both actors have received 0% of any profits.
The Queen of England sees the worldwide premiere of the Romeo and Juliet film in London, England.
Romeo and Juliet film released in the UK.
Romeo and Juliet film released in the US.
Romeo and Juliet film released in Italy.
The film, Romeo and Juliet was a colossal success. The film went on to win multiple Academy Awards:
Academy Award for Best Cinematography
1969 · Pasqualino De Santis
Golden Globe Award for Best New Star of the Year – Actor
1969 · Leonard Whiting
Golden Globe Award for Best New Star of the Year – Actress
1969 · Olivia Hussey
David di Donatello for Best Director
1969 · Franco Zeffirelli
BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design
1969 · Danilo Donati
David di Donatello Golden Plate Award
1969 · Olivia Hussey, Leonard Whiting
Nastro d'Argento for Best Costume Design
1969 · Danilo Donati
Golden Globe Award for Best English-Language Foreign Film
1969
Academy Award for Best Costume Design
1969 · Danilo Donati
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Actor's Strike is settled.
A notable result of this strike was a first-ever requirement to hire intimacy coordinators on set for scenes involving sex and nudity
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Lawsuit filed against Paramount on December 30th, 2022
Criterion releases a new high-resolution version of the 1968 film, Romeo and Juliet, while the lawsuit is pending. Now their child nudity is in high-resolution.
Anti-SLAPP motion is filed by Paramount attorneys
Judge Alison M. Mackenzie grants motion by Paramount attorneys
*Judge Mackenzie's former law firm, where she served as a Partner, represented Paramount Pictures.
Hussey and Whiting serve notice of termination to their legal counsel
Actor's Strike is settled.
*A first-ever requirement to hire intimacy co-ordinators on set for scenes involving sex and nudity
Hussey and Whiting file PRO SE to appeal Paramount's Attorney fees
The American Rule
The American Rule is a rule in the U.S. justice system that says two opposing sides in a legal matter must pay their own attorney fees, regardless of who wins the case. The rationale of the rule is that a plaintiff should not be deterred from bringing a case to court for fear of prohibitive costs.
Hussey and Whiting retain new legal counsel
William A. Romaine, Esq.
559-625-6020 war@lawromaine.com
Zishan Lokhandwala, Esq.
559-625-6020 zl@lawromaine.com
We are asking you in support of Olivia, Leonard, and all other actors who have been sexually exploited as minors, to boycott Paramount's streaming services.
This is just one way to hold Paramount accountable until they have publicly addressed this controversy and settled the matter.
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