Sir Peter Jackson speaks out about Harvey Weinstein

Sir Peter Jackson has spoken out about his experiences with Harvey Weinstein, expressing his dismay for the disgraced movie mogul.

The New Zealand filmmaker says Weinstein prevented actresses Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino from appearing in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. 

Jackson had been in negotiations to produce the fantasy movies with Weinstein’s film studio Miramax, before going on to make a trilogy with New Line Cinema instead.

Sir Peter Jackson (left) has spoken out about his experiences with Harvey Weinstein (right)

Sir Peter Jackson (left) has spoken out about his experiences with Harvey Weinstein (right) 

The renowned director expressed his dismay for the disgraced movie mogul after negative experiences while making plans for the Lord of The Rings films 

The renowned director expressed his dismay for the disgraced movie mogul after negative experiences while making plans for the Lord of The Rings films 

Jackson stated he had expressed interest in casting Judd and Sorvino, both of whom later claimed Weinstein sexually harassed them. 

‘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 said.  

He said they had no reason to doubt the validity of their requests, but realises in hindsight it was highly likely a ‘smear campaign in full swing’. 

Jackson now suspects he was fed incorrect information about the two outstanding actresses but, at the time, it was enough to prevent him casting them.

Judd has since responded to the reports and confirmed she recalls being blacklisted by Jackson.

‘I remember this well,’ the actress wrote on Twitter, linking to the article. 

The esteemed movie-maker said that Weinstein and his brother Bob were very difficult to work for.

He says Weinstein (pictured) prevented actresses Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino from appearing in the Lord of the Rings blockbuster

He says Weinstein (pictured) prevented actresses Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino from appearing in the Lord of the Rings blockbuster

Jackson (pictured) says he had no reason to doubt the validity of their requests but now suspects now in hindsight it was highly likely a 'smear campaign in full swing' 

Jackson (pictured) says he had no reason to doubt the validity of their requests but now suspects now in hindsight it was highly likely a ‘smear campaign in full swing’ 

‘My experience, when Miramax controlled the Lord of the Rings, was of Weinstein and his brother behaving like second-rate Mafia bullies. They weren’t the type of guys I wanted to work with – so I haven’t,’ Jackson told Stuff.

Weinstein had attempted to remove Jackson from the LoTR adaption, if Weinstein’s demands weren’t met. 

The Hollywood heavyweight wanted to make the film into one, whereas Jackson preferred the idea of two. 

Jackson and his wife Fran were told they had four weeks to find another studio to take on the two films before, after being rejected by nearly every major studio, New Line took over and proposed the idea to make three.  

 More than 80 women have come forward to accuse Weinstein (pictured) of sexual assault and harrassment

 More than 80 women have come forward to accuse Weinstein (pictured) of sexual assault and harrassment

‘Although his name had to be on the Lord of the Rings credits for contractual reasons, he was not involved in the movies we ended up making,’ Jackson said. 

He said making movies is far more enjoyable when you work with nice people. 

More than 80 women have now come forward to accuse Weinstein of sexual harassment and assault including Mila Kunis, Gwyneth Paltrow and recently Selma Hayek. 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk