Harvey Weinstein’s Miramax film fell in love with Joseph Fiennes instantly after winning the Best Picture Oscar for 1998 for Shakespeare in Love, in which he starred.
Fiennes, who reportedly took over from Daniel Day-Lewis to play the British playwright of the same name, told the Guardian that producer Harvey Weinstein used horrific “bullying tactics” after the film’s release and the Oscars. Fiennes was offered a five-film deal with Miramax, which he ultimately turned down.
“I have to be careful here.”Fiennes said before explaining that Weinstein had invited him to his hotel room to outline the aggressively proposed contract. According to the representative, The producer said “shocking” things and confirmed that he would be entirely responsible for Fiennes’ career moving forward and if he refused, he would never work in Hollywood again.
“It was an intimidation tactic that I didn’t like,” Fiennes said, noting that he was unaware of the rape and sexual assault allegations against Weinstein at the time. The allegations surfaced in 2017. “The way he explained it was a shock to me. But all of a sudden I’m sitting in the room, determined and strong in me to say, You know what, I don’t have to do it. I’m leaving.”
Fiennes added that he did not believe his decision ultimately hurt his career.
A representative for the imprisoned Weinstein issued a comment to The Independent denying the actor’s statement. “Miramax hasn’t given him a lot of movies, and that’s that simple,” said the rep. “Harvey thinks Joe is a great actor, but he thinks he’s either misremembering or trying to use Harvey’s name and current situation to gain publicity.”
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