Lion King musical actress warned male co-star she’d limit his chance if he resisted her advances

An actor has lodged a lawsuit against two Disney units accusing them of firing him on his first day of paternity leave – and claims a female actress-turned-director pestered actors for sex. 

William James Jr had been part of the Lion King ensemble for three years and was also an understudy for Mufasa before he was sacked.

The actor is accusing the production of violating the New York state and City Human Rights Laws, as well as accusing actress and director Ameena Kaplan of sexually harassing him and other male employees.

Kaplan, who has appeared in Marvel’s Avengers Infinity War and Endgame, allegedly asked James Jr and other male workers to meet privately after work.

She then reportedly suggested that she could limit his role as an understudy for Mufasa in retaliation for rejecting her advances.

The lawsuit accuses Disney of turning a ‘collective blind-eye’ to James Jr’s allegations about the ‘hostile work environment.’

William James Jr had been part of the Lion King ensemble for three years and was also an understudy for Mufasa before he was fired. Pictured as Simba

Actress and director Ameena Kaplan has been accused of sexually harassing him and other male employees in the lawsuit

The legal claim is also asking for a court declaration that Disney engaged in unlawful employment practices

James Jr claims he was told that he needed to ‘correct his behavior’ and act better towards Kaplan, claiming they ‘condoned and supported’ her instead.

He brought the lawsuit after Actors Equity, which represents Broadway and national tour performers, filed a grievance on his behalf and investigated the incident.

It also claims that Disney ‘did not train, supervise or instruct its employees, or management’ on how to properly handle allegations of discrimination.

The suit claims that Actors Equity corroborates his sexual harassment allegations, but Disney ‘did not care’.

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James Jr claims he suffered ‘severe emotional distress’ and ‘physical humiliation’ as well as ‘anxiety, depression, anger and loss of employment opportunities’

Kaplan, who has appeared in Marvel’s Avengers Infinity War and Endgame, allegedly asked James Jr and other male workers to meet privately after work

James Jr claims he suffered ‘severe emotional distress’ and ‘physical humiliation’ as well as ‘anxiety, depression, anger and loss of employment opportunities.’

His suit is calling for Disney and the other defendants to pay an unspecified amount in damages for the ‘mental, emotional and physical injury’ he has allegedly suffered.

The legal claim is also asking for a court declaration that Disney engaged in unlawful employment practices.

Disney and Disney Theatrical Group did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.

James Jr claims he was told that he needed to ‘correct his behaviour’ and act better towards Kaplan, claiming they ‘condoned and supported’ her instead

 He brought the lawsuit after Actors Equity, which represents Broadway and national tour performers, filed a grievance on his behalf and investigated the incident

It is the second major paternity leave lawsuit that Disney have faced in four years, after Steven Van Soeren sued Disney in federal court in 2019.

The Disney Streaming Service employee claimed that he was terminated following a two-week paternity leave, but ultimately lost the case.

A federal judge dismissed the case in 2020 after Disney claimed federal law only protects the pregnant person and not the father.