Pundits including the cast of the daytime talk show The View got hold of Julian Fellowes’ script for the upcoming drama Romeo and Juliet and learned that female lead Hailee Steinfeld would strip along with her Romeo in one of the film’s key scenes.
The news generated controversy due to Steinfeld only being 14-years-old but Romeo and Juliet director Carlo Carlei stopped the rumors and confirmed to EW that Steinfeld would not appear naked at any time in the movie.
“In the original adaptation written by the Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, there was a lovemaking scene that included nudity for the married Romeo and Juliet,” Carlei said in a statement. “This script was written with a 20-year-old actress in mind. As soon as Hailee Steinfeld was cast, all nudity and lovemaking have been excised from the script. It will be romantic and age-appropriate for a 14-year-old.”
Lily Collins was originally cast to play Juliet but had to drop out due to schedule problems.
Earlier, Ed Westwick, Holly Hunter and Kodi Smit-McPhee joined the Amber Entertainment production.