Prior to Harry Styles landing the starring role in Olivia Wilde’s upcoming film Don’t Worry Darling, actor Shia LaBeouf had won the part. However, he was later let go from the project, and in a recent interview, Wilde explained why.
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Speaking to Variety about the upcoming film, Wilde revealed the reason why she had to part ways with the actor in 2020, just shortly before production was set to start. While the official reason was deemed to be a scheduling conflict, Wilde said that LaBeouf’s acting process was “not conducive” to what the team on the film was trying to accomplish.
“I say this as someone who is such an admirer of his work,” said Wilde. “His process was not conducive to the ethos that I demand in my productions. He has a process that, in some ways, seems to require a combative energy, and I don’t personally believe that is conducive to the best performances. I believe that creating a safe, trusting environment is the best way to get people to do their best work. Ultimately, my responsibility is to the production and to the cast to protect them. That was my job.”
Shortly after LaBeouf left production on the film, a number of allegations came to light on the actor, with his ex-girlfriend and Honey Boy co-star FKA Twigs suing him for sexual battery. LaBeouf would go on to leave his agency, the high-profile CAA, and enter an inpatient treatment facility. For Wilde, she just hopes that LaBeouf is able to heal and grow.
“A lot came to light after this happened that really troubled me, in terms of his behavior,” Wilde said. “I find myself just really wishing him health and evolution because I believe in restorative justice. But for our film, what we really needed was an energy that was incredibly supportive. Particularly with a movie like this, I knew that I was going to be asking Florence to be in very vulnerable situations, and my priority was making her feel safe and making her feel supported.”
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Described as an audacious, twisted, and visually stunning psychological thriller, Don’t Worry Darling is directed by Olivia Wilde from a screenplay written by Katie Silberman, based on a story by Carey Van Dyke, Shane Van Dyke, and Silberman. It stars Oscar nominee Florence Pugh (Little Women, Midsommar), Harry Styles (Dunkirk), Gemma Chan (Eternals), KiKi Layne (The Old Guard), Chris Pine (All the Old Knives), and Wilde.
