Miramax immediately fell in love with Joseph Fiennes after his Best Picture Oscar win in 1998 for Shakespeare in Love.

Fiennes, who reportedly took over from Daniel Day-Lewis to play the eponymous British playwright, recalled to The Guardian newspaper that producer Harvey Weinstein used shocking “bullying tactics” after the film’s release and the Oscar.

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 invited him to his hotel room to aggressively outline the proposed contract.

According to the actor, the producer said “shocking” things and confirmed that he would be entirely responsible for Fiennes’ career going 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 came to light in 2017. “The way he explained it was a shock to me. But suddenly I sat in the room, and determined and strong within myself to say, you know what, I’m not bound to do it. I’m leaving.”

Fiennes added that he doesn’t think his decision ultimately hurt his career.

A representative for the jailed Weinstein released a comment to The Independent denying the actor’s statement.

“Miramax didn’t offer him many movies, and that’s as simple as that,” the rep said. “Harvey thinks Joe is a great actor, but thinks he’s either misremembering or trying to use Harvey’s name and current situation to gain publicity.”