Filmmaker Roman Polanski is set to stand trial next year in the United States over allegations of raping a minor in 1973.
Polanski is currently on trial in France for sexual assault claims stemming from actress Charlotte Lewis. Now he’s set to face trial in America, with plaintiff lawyer Gloria Allred confirming that Polanski’s trial date in the U.S. is set for August 4, 2025 (via Deadline). Allred was joined by her client, identified as Jane Doe, and confirmed that Polanski was served papers in Paris this week.
Although it’s unclear whether or not Polanski will appear in court in Los Angeles next year, Allred said that they plan to depose him at this time. She was quick to note, however, that no concrete decisions on the trial or what she and the plaintaff plan to do have been confirmed as of yet.
“We are going to depose him,” the attorney noted. “At least that’s our intention at this time, that could change,” Allred said. “We’ve not made a decision as to where or how that would take place.”
Polanski’s trial stems from 1973 rape claims
The upcoming trial stems from allegations made against Polanski by Jane Doe, which were originally filed last May and amended in June. In the lawsuit, the unnamed victim claims that Polanski raped her at his home in Los Angeles in 1973 despite the woman denying Polanski’s advances. She was 16-years-old.
The trauma caused Doe “tremendous physical and emotional pain and suffering,” according to the suit. In November 2023, Polanski filed to have the suit tossed out and released a statement denying any such incident occurred.
“Mr. Polanski strenuously denies the allegations made against him in the lawsuit and believes that the proper place to try this case is in the courts,” said Polanski via his attorney Alexander Rufus-Isaacs.
