Paramount sued for $500 million over 1968 ‘Romeo & Juliet’ nude scene

British actress Olivia Hussey and actor Leonard Whiting star in Franco Zeffirelli’s ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ circa 1967.

According to a copy obtained by CNBC, two stars of the 1968 film adaptation of "Romeo & Juliet" have sued Paramount Pictures for more than $500 million over a nude scene they filmed when they were teenagers.

The two men claim that Franco Zeffirelli filmed them nude or partially nude without their knowledge. The two actors who played Juliet and Romeo were 15 at the time.

They sued in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Paramount did not reply to CNBC's request for comment about the suit.

According to the filing, Zeffirelli initially told the actors that they would wear flesh-colored undergarments in the bedroom scene of the movie. The actors were told at the last minute that the camera would not show nudity and that they would wear body makeup.

According to the actors, the nude scene was in violation of California and federal laws against indecency and the exploitation of children.

Solomon Gresen, the actors' attorney, said that they could be entitled to damages of more than $500 million to match the amount the film has made.

The images of nude minor children are displayed and profited from. The time should be up.

The film won Academy Awards in the best cinematography and costume design categories and was nominated for a best picture award.