Peter Jackson Remembers Weinstein Sabotaging Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino

A disturbing discovery reveals more abuse of power from Harvey Weinstein.

Harvey Weinstein and Peter Jackson
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Image via Getty/Dave Hogan

Harvey Weinstein and Peter Jackson

In a new conversation with New Zealand's Stuff, director Peter Jackson says he was strongly urged by Harvey Weinstein's company not to work with actresses Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd, both of whom have recently finally shared stories of Weinstein's sexual misconduct toward them. Around the time Jackson was beginning to plan the filming of the blockbuster Lord of the Rings series, he received warnings from Weinstein's company to scrap the actresses from the casting list completely. "I recall Miramax telling us they were a nightmare to work with and we should avoid them at all costs," Jackson said. 

Jackson and Weinstein were initially slated to work together with the LOTR series being produced under Miramax, but after a disagreement regarding the number of installments, Jackson decided to have New Line produce the movies. 

Weinstein has since claimed that Jackson's allegations regarding the blacklisting of Judd and Sorvina are false, being that Miramax lost the project and casting was handled by New Line. However, Weinstein and his brother Bob retained executive producing credits for the three LOTR installments.

"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," Jackson told Stuff.

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