 A rumor surrounding this film was that Olivia Hussey (qv) was  really Franco Zeffirelli (qv)s daughter. Not true, of course.  Franco Zeffirelli initially turned Olivia Hussey down for the role  of Juliet, thinking her overweight. The actress he did choose cut  her hair just before filming, ruining the effect she had on  Zeffirelli. Hussey came in for another reading but by this time had  developed into a beautiful teenager. She got the part.