Harvey Weinstein blocked Mira Sorvino from Bad Santa, as well as Lord of the Rings

ANOTHER director has said Harvey Weinstein banned him from casting Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino and would hang up the phone anytime he mentioned her name.

THE director of Bad Santa has revealed that he was prevented from hiring Mira Sorvino by Harvey Weinstein — amid accusations the disgraced studio head launched a smear campaign against the actress.

The New York Post reports that director Terry Zwigoff tweeted that he had wanted to hire Sorvino but was rebuffed by the studio heads.

Billy Bob Thornton and Gilmore Girls star Lauren Graham in Bad Santa. Picture: Supplied

Mira Sorvino missed out on a role in Bad Santa due to Harvey Weinstein. Picture: Supplied

“I was interested in casting Mira Sorvino in BAD SANTA, but every time I mentioned her over the phone to the Weinsteins, I’d hear a CLICK,” Zwigoff wrote.

“What type of person just hangs up on you like that?! I guess we all know what type of person now. I’m really sorry Mira.”

Harvey Weinstein black-listed Mira Sorvino. Picture: AP

His admission came after Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson claimed Weinstein orchestrated a smear campaign against Sorvino and Ashley Judd in an attempt to blacklist the actresses from Hollywood.

Jackson recently told New Zealand’s Stuff that Weinstein and his brother Bob are a pair of “second-rate Mafia bullies” who talked him out of casting Sorvino and Judd in the Lord of the Rings series in the late 1990s.

Ashley Judd missed out on a role in Lord of the Rings. Picture: Getty

Peter Jackson has confirmed that Harvey Weinstein blocked his casting choices. Picture: AP

Both women have accused Harvey of sexual harassment.

“I recall Miramax telling us they were a nightmare to work with and we should avoid them at all costs. This was probably in 1998,” Jackson said.

“At the time, we had no reason to question what these guys were telling us — but in hindsight, I realise that this was very likely the Miramax smear campaign in full swing.”

Sorvino said she “burst out crying” after reading Jackson’s revelation.

“There it is, confirmation that Harvey Weinstein derailed my career, something I suspected but was unsure,” she tweeted. “Thank you Peter Jackson for being honest. I’m just heartsick.”

Billy Bob Thornton with Lauren Graham in scene from film Bad Santa. Picture: Supplied

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and is republished here with permission