“Don’t Worry Darling” Drama Explained
Via Getty
Don't Worry Darling, the upcoming movie from director Olivia Wilde, made its debut at the Venice Film Festival on Monday.
Since its announcement, Don’t Worry Darling has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
It all began with reports in August of a falling out between Wilde and Shia LaBoeuf, who was later replaced with Harry Styles. Wilde claimed she fired LaBeouf back in 2020 in order to create a “safe, trusting environment” on set for Pugh.
LaBeouf in turn claims he wasn't fired, but quit, and sent a video message from Wilde where she appears to be asking LaBeouf to come back to the set because she wasn't "ready to give up on this yet."
In the message Wilde appears to refer to conflict with Pugh:
"You know, I think this might be a bit of a wake-up call for Miss Flo," Wilde says in the video, "and I want to know if you're open to giving this a shot with me, with us. If she really commits, if she really puts her mind and heart into it at this point and if you guys can make peace -- and I respect your point of view, I respect hers -- but if you guys can do it, what do you think?"
This obviously led to rumors spiraling on the internet of a feud between both women. Some of the rumors included Pugh’s disapproval of Wilde’s preferential treatment of Styles as they are linked romantically. Others said Wilde was tough on Pugh, limiting her creative and artistic process.
The internet patiently waited for the 75th Venice Film Festival where both women were meant to see each other for the first time since filming. Reports that Pugh will not be attending the panel and screening began appearing online throwing the internet into another frenzy.
During the panel, Wilde was finally asked by a reporter:
“Can you just clear the air and address whether there has been a falling out there and if so why, because it’s something that people are discussing?”
The director responded: “Florence is a force and we are so grateful that she is able to make it tonight despite being in production on Dune. I know as a director how disruptive it is to lose an actor even for a day so I’m very grateful to her and Denis Villeneuve for helping us – we’re really thrilled we’ll get to celebrate her work tonight.”
She continued: “I can’t say enough how honored I am to have her as our lead. She’s amazing in the film and as for all the endless tabloid gossip and all the noise out there, I mean, the internet feeds itself. I don’t feel the need to contribute, I think it’s sufficiently well nourished.”
Variety confirmed that Pugh’s absence from the panel was because the actor’s flight arrives in Venice after the press conference is due to take place.
Pugh reportedly did not interact with Wilde at the film festival seemingly confirming the rumors. Pugh has also not commented on the situation.
