Former film producer Harvey Weinstein was rushed to a Manhattan hospital after suffering a severe deterioration in his health, characterized by what his representatives described as “serious respiratory problems.”

Weinstein, 74, was serving preventive detention in Rikers Island prison when he required immediate medical assistance.

According to the first reports, the hospitalization is due to heart failure caused by pneumonia. Currently, Weinstein is receiving specialized treatment in custody at the Bellevue Penitentiary Hospital Unit, a facility prepared to care for high-profile inmates.

His spokesperson explained that the patient is resting and under strict medical observation, anticipating that he will remain hospitalized "at least for the next few weeks."

This new health problem adds to a complex clinical history that he has had since entering prison almost seven years ago. The former Hollywood mogul suffers from bone marrow cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia and coronary artery disease.

In past statements, Weinstein himself had expressed his fear of dying in prison, alleging that his general physical condition was rapidly weakening.

The producer's hospitalization coincides with a crucial moment in his judicial log. Last week, the Manhattan prosecutor's office, led by Alvin Bragg, formally announced that it would drop rape charges linked to whistleblower Jessica Mann, after the latest court proceedings ended in mistrials due to tied jurors.

Now, the courts are focused exclusively on the reading of his sentence for sexual assault against Miriam Haley, a former production assistant. The formal hearing, which had been postponed precisely to resolve the other pending charges, was scheduled for next September.

The prosecution announced that it will request a 20-year prison sentence for the former producer, who also maintains a previous 16-year sentence for sexual crimes in the state of California.