Olivia Wilde Responds To Shia Labeouf’s Claims Of Not Being Fired From Her Film

Olivia Wilde claims the video Shia LaBeouf used to prove he wasn't fired from the film doesn't show the whole picture.

By Mark McKee | Published

Don’t Worry Darling is one of the year’s most anticipated movies. With a stellar cast that includes Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, and Olivia Wilde in a tale taking us back to the 1950s, and a storyline that promises to transport us to the dark recesses of our minds, there is a lot to look forward to. The film has been plagued with bad press since the beginning of its run. There has been drama on set with former star Shia LeBeouf and drama at the Venice Film Festival between the rest of the cast. Now that director Olivia Wilde is in damage control mode, she has spoken out against a video LeBeouf provided that refuted her earlier claims that he was fired and instead suggested he quit. 

MovieWeb reports that in an interview with Vanity Fair, Olivia Wilde claimed that there was nuance in her decision to fire LeBeouf from her film. She said the nuance couldn’t be captured in texts and a video that was taken out of context. She continued to say that she had replaced him and wished him the best of luck in his recovery. The video she referred to was one that LeBeouf released early in the unfolding drama that seemed to show Wilde begging the actor to stay on and that the events were a “learning experience for Miss Flo.” The resulting bad press seemed to indicate that Wilde’s claims of firing him were not only untrue but completely fabricated. 

The drama surrounding the Venice Film Festival didn’t end there. Florence Pugh, who is the headliner for the film, is skipping the press junkets. She bowed out the press conference following the premiere at the festival and couldn’t be seen even looking Olivia Wilde in the eye. She refrained from promoting the film, and it has been said that she will also be missing the New York film premiere in addition to any other press. While it has been said that she is busy filming her role in Dune: Part Two, there has also been speculation that her lack of involvement has to do with Wilde’s on-set behavior with her new boyfriend, Harry Styles. It has been asserted that the pair would sneak off for hours at a time, and Pugh was forced to step up and fulfill directorial duties.

Adding to the drama at the Venice Film Festival was the video that seemed to show Harry Styles spitting on Chris Pine when he was introduced at the showing. Pine refuted the news, saying it was a complete fabrication, and has even done press alongside his One Direction co-star. The film can’t seem to catch a break from the building drama between the stars, and the reception of Don’t Worry Darling isn’t helping. The film has gotten mixed reviews from the critics and is on shaky ground as it gears up for a theater run. With Olivia Wilde in damage control during the 11th hour, let’s hope there is more focus on the film now than there was during filming; it doesn’t seem like Florence Pugh is ready to step up to fill Wilde’s shoes again.