Worry Darling: All The Off-Screen Drama Surrounding Olivia Wilde's Film Starring Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, And Originally Shia LaBeouf - Arts & Culture

Don’t Worry Darling proves to be a psychological thriller film both on and off-screen.

Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling recently had its world premiere at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. This is ahead of its September 23 theatrical release.

READ ALSO: The World Watches: As ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Cast Arrives On The Red Carpet In Venice

What has kept audiences on the edge of their seats, however, is the alleged drama involving the director and cast.

Of course, there’s more than one side to every story. Including this one where some of the principal figures involved have issued a statement.

Here’s a breakdown of the on-set conflicts that supposedly took place during the filming of Don’t Worry Darling.

Olivia Wilde vs. Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf was originally going to play the film’s lead role, which eventually went to Harry Styles—whom Wilde is dating.

Variety reported how it “learned LaBeouf was dropped from the film.”

Wilde later added: “I say this as someone who is such an admirer of his work. 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.”

LaBeouf, in turn, refuted her claim, saying that he had quit and Wilde actually asked him to stay. He even provided documentary evidence to support his side.

Wilde, however, had the last word. She insisted in a Vanity Fair report that she had indeed fired him for the previously mentioned reason.

Olivia Wilde vs. Florence Pugh

Despite Wilde citing her responsibility toward Pugh for firing LaBeouf, the director and actress supposedly had their own conflict.

Rolling Stone cited an unnamed source on the Don’t Worry Darling set who claimed “there is friction, but I don’t know why.”

Furthermore, The Wrap reported how “Florence Pugh Limits Don’t Worry Darling Press, Fueling Speculation Over Split With Olivia Wilde.”

The director has since dismissed rumors of conflict between her and Pugh.

“I cannot say enough how honored I am to have her as my lead… As for all the endless tabloid gossip and all the noise out there. The Internet feeds itself. I don’t feel the need to contribute. I feel it is sufficiently well nourished,” Wilde said.

Harry Styles vs. Chris Pine

The Internet speculated that Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine at the Venice premiere of Don’t Worry Darling. This follows new video footage appearing to show Styles “depositing spittle” onto Pine’s lap.

Pine’s rep denied this in a statement: “This is a ridiculous story—a complete fabrication and the result of an odd online illusion that is clearly deceiving and allows for foolish speculation. Just to be clear, Harry Styles did not spit on Chris Pine. There is nothing but respect between these two men and any suggestion otherwise is a blatant attempt to create drama that simply does not exist.”

Styles, however, joked in video footage captured by fans: “This is our tenth show at Madison Square Garden. It’s wonderful, wonderful, wonderful to be back in New York. I just popped very quickly to Venice to spit on Chris Pine.”

Photo by Don’t Worry Darling via website.

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