Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting Sue Paramount Over Nude Scene (Again)
'Romeo and Juliet' stars Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting have filed a new lawsuit against Paramount over nude images of them in the 1968 movie, this time over the Criterion Collection release of it. https://t.co/ytcwN951tw
- Entertainment Weekly (@EW) February 15, 2024
- Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting are doubling down on their efforts to stop redistribution of the shots of them naked in the movie.
- Hussey, 72, and Whiting, 73, have filed a new suit against the film company - and now, Criterion - over what they call the unlawful distribution of nude images of them that are featured in the Criterion release of Franco Zeffirelli's romance film.
- Hussey and Whiting claim they never consented to Paramount's redistribution of the movie and are thus suing for unlawful distribution of intimate photographs, unlawful use of likeness, and violation of performers' rights.
- The actors allege that "nothing in the agreement" for the original release granted Paramount the right to recreate, republish, or redistribute photographs of their work in any other medium or format than 35 mm analogue cinematographic photographs. However, the digital release contains "digitally enhanced photographs" of Whiting and Hussey lying together nude in a bed, as well as other renderings in "high definition."
- Actor's Statement: "We and our new lawyers extended the olive branch to Paramount in hopes that they would settle this legal matter, but unfortunately, it appears that they do not want to take responsibility for their participation in the digital enhancement, production, and distribution of the 1968 film nor for the photos included in that reproduction that were fraudulently and surreptitiously taken. Our fight for accountability will now involve a new lawsuit and a more rigorous effort in the media, which up until this time we had sought to avoid. The facts, evidence, and law are all crystal clear in this matter, and we believe that over half a century of mental incarceration for this traumatic event has been quite enough."
- Previous Posts: Initial Lawsuit + Dismissal
SRC Twitter
I don't think this will end in their favor tbh.