Harvey Weinstein Reportedly Blacklisted Actresses
Directors Peter Jackson and Terry Zwigoff have recently come forward alleging producer Harvey Weinstein attempted (and succeeded) in blacklisting certain actresses from their movies.
Last Thursday, Jackson told New Zealand's Stuff that Miramax, which was led by the Weinstein brothers, told the director that Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd were "a nightmare to work with" after Jackson expressed interest in casting them in the Lord of the Rings films.
"At the time, we had no reason to question what these guys were telling us - but in hindsight, I realize that this was very likely the Miramax smear campaign in full swing," Jackson told Stuff. "I now suspect we were fed false information about both of these talented women - and as a direct result their names were removed from our casting list."
Both Sorvino and Judd responded to Jackson's statements on Twitter with Sorvino writing, "There it is, confirmation that Harvey Weinstein derailed my career, something I suspected but was unsure."
Just seeing this after I awoke, I burst out crying. There it is, confirmation that Harvey Weinstein derailed my career, something I suspected but was unsure. Thank you Peter Jackson for being honest. I’m just heartsick https://t.co/ljK9NqICbm
- Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) December 15, 2017
I remember this well. https://t.co/wctEhESAS9
- ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) December 15, 2017
Peter & Fran had me in - showed me all the creative, the boards, costumes, everything. They asked which if the two roles I preferred, and then I abruptly never heard from hem again. I appreciate the truth coming out. Thank you, Peter. https://t.co/iXKuK6Xqtx
- ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) December 15, 2017
Judd wrote that Jackson and Fran Walsh, Jackson's wife and Lord of the Rings co-writer, "showed me all the creative, the boards, costumes, everything. They asked which if the two roles I preferred, and then I abruptly never heard from hem again. I appreciate the truth coming out."
The day after Jackson's statements, Zwigoff came forward on Twitter, writing that he was interested in casting Sorvino in Bad Santa. He claimed that whenever he mentioned her name on the phone to the Weinsteins, they would hang up on him:
I was interested in casting Mira Sorvino in BAD SANTA, but every time I mentioned her over the phone to the Weinsteins, I'd hear a CLICK. What type of person just hangs up on you like that?! I guess we all know what type of person now. I'm really sorry Mira. https://t.co/9U0PsL2yS5
- Terry Zwigoff (@realzwigoff) December 16, 2017
Weinstein has since denied both Jackon and Zwigoff's claims. According to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Weinstein said the brothers had no input on casting for the Lord of the Rings films and that Weinstein went on to cast Judd in Frida and Crossing Over. A spokeswoman for Weinstein also told USA Today that he did not speak to Zwigoff about casting for Bad Santa.
Both Judd and Sorvino have previously accused Weinstein of sexual harassment.
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