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After Shia LaBeouf claimed that he quit Don't Worry Darling, director Olivia Wilde doubles down on her previous statement that the actor was fired. Telling the story of a 1950s housewife who begins to suspect that her idyllic suburban life may not be all that it seems, Don't Worry Darling has been making headlines mostly due to its off-screen drama. The film, which just recently premiered at the Venice Film Festival, has experienced a number of controversies over the past few weeks, with stars Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, and Chris Pine, in addition to Wilde, all involved in one way or another.
Outside of "Spitgate," the now-debunked rumor that Styles spat on Pine during the film's Venice Premiere, the film's casting has become the subject of some debate in recent weeks, with Wilde revealing that LaBeouf was originally set to star in the film. The director explained that she fired LaBeouf from the production because his acting process was deemed too "combative" and because she wanted to ensure Pugh's safety on set. LaBeouf disputes Wilde's claim that he was fired from Don't Worry Darling, saying that he quit the film due to inadequate rehearsal time, releasing a video from Wilde in addition to screenshots of text exchanges to back this up.
In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Wilde doubles down on her claim that LaBeouf was fired, saying that the "private texts" the actor shared are taken out of context. The director explains that the situation that transpired is more complex than it's being made out to be, but affirms that "[LaBeouf] was replaced," before wishing him well. Check out Wilde's full comment below:
“This issue is so much more nuanced than can be explained in private texts released out of context. All I’ll say is he was replaced, and there was no going forward with him. I wish him the best in his recovery.”
LaBeouf has been embroiled in a variety of controversies in recent years, with the former Transformers actor being accused of sexual battery and assault by former romantic partner FKA Twigs. The actor also recently admitted to lying about being abused to promote Honey Boy, his 2019 drama, and has spoken at length about the extreme lengths he goes to while getting into character. While it's unclear what the true story is behind LaBeouf's departure from the film, Vanity Fair's own sources say the truth is somewhere in the middle, with Wilde allowing LaBeouf to believe he quit in order to spare his ego. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, LaBeouf responded to Wilde's rebuttal by simply saying, "It is what it is — every blessing to her and her film."
Initial reviews for Don't Worry Darling have been mostly negative, suggesting that Pugh is a bright spot in what is otherwise a fairly predictable and uninspired thriller. Despite the poor initial reception from critics, it's still a shame that the hard work of the cast and crew of Don't Worry Darling seems to have been eclipsed by rumors and off-screen controversy. It remains to be seen how general audiences will react to the film, but it seemingly goes without saying that Wilde and LaBeouf will likely never attempt to work together again.
Source: Vanity Fair
