Weinstein Blacklisted Judd, Sorvino, 'Hobbit' Director Claims

STUDIO CITY, CA — Actresses Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd were blacklisted by Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood powerbroker they accused of sexual harassment, “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson has confirmed.

Both actresses were stricken from the casting list for the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy because Weinstein’s Miramax badmouthed the women, Jackson told the Australian publication Stuff.

“I recall Miramax telling us they were a nightmare to work with and we should avoid them at all costs. This was probably in 1998,” Jackson told the magazine. “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.

“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,” he added.”

Judd and Sorvino were among some of the first stars to go public with their tales of abuse at the hands Weinstein. Both said they suspected he derailed their careers after they rebuffed them. Jackson’s admission is the first confirmation of their fears. After all theses years, the impact remains devastating.

“Just seeing this after I awoke, I burst out crying,” Sorvino Tweeted. “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.”

For her part, Judd wasn’t surprised. “I remember this well,” she tweeted in response to the story.

Dozens of women have now accused the disgraced producer of rape or sexual harassment. Several said he threatened their careers if they didn’t cooperate or if they spoke out. Weinstein is one of several famous men accused of sexual harassment, including actors Kevin Spacey, Danny Masterson, Jeremy Piven, and Jeffrey Tambor and Directors James Toback, Brett Ratner, and Roman Polanski. Weinstein’s downfall has been a watershed moment for the nation, emboldening women in every industry to share their stories of abuse by powerful men.

Also See: Harvey Weinstein Responds to Salma Hayek's Sexual Harassment Allegations

Related:

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• Stars To Wear Black To Protest Harassment At Golden Globes
  
• Filmmaker Brett Ratner Accused Of Sexually Abusing Actresses
  
• Hundreds Accuse Director James Toback Of Sexual Abuse Or Harassment: Report

For his part, Jackson said he had never heard of Weinstein’s reputation when he briefly worked with Miramax. Still, he chose to cut ties with Weinstein and never work with him again.

“My experience, when Miramax controlled the Lord of the Rings was of Weinstein and his brother [Bob] behaving like second-rate Mafia bullies,” he told Stuff. “ They weren’t the type of guys I wanted to work with — so I haven’t.”

Photo: Actresses Mira Sorvino, right, and Ashley Judd arrive in Beverly Hills, Calif., Wednesday, May 15, 1996, for the premiere of their HBO Pictures Presentation "Norma Jean and Marilyn."