Shia LaBeouf has inadvertently entered the promotion of Don’t Worry Darling this week and has come forward to dispute Olivia Wilde’s claim that she fired him just as production began for the film in 2020. LaBeouf had been cast as the lead male Jack, who was replaced by Harry Styles.
LaBeouf claims he left the production because he believed the cast did not have adequate time to rehearse. But in the August 24 Variety cover story, Wilde opened up about his departure with a different explanation:
“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,”
At the time, LaBeouf’s representatives declined to comment, but on Thursday, LaBeouf sent an email to Variety full of screenshots and emails, which show a different tale. He asserts he quit the film on August 17, 2020. He also forwarded two emails he sent to the director following the Variety cover story.
In the emails, LaBeouf wrote, “You and I both know the reasons for my exit. I quit your film because your actors and I couldn’t find time to rehearse.”
One source close to the situation recollected that Shia’s style of acting did not mesh well with Wilde’s directing approach, and that the parting was more of a collective recognition of that.
LaBeouf also sent Variety screenshots of text messages that he sent to Wilde in August 2020, when he told her he could not be in the film.
According to the texts, LaBeouf and Wilde met in person in Los Angeles to discuss his exit from the film on Aug. 16, 2020. Later that night, Wilde texted him, “Thanks for letting me in on your thought process. I know that isn’t fun. Doesn’t feel good to say no to someone, and I respect your honesty. I’m honored you were willing to go there with me, for me to tell a story with you. I’m gutted because it could have been something special. I want to make clear how much it means to me that you trust me. That’s a gift I’ll take with me.”
LaBeouf officially quit the production the next day on August 17, 2020.
The actor also shared a video that Wilde sent him. She appears to be driving a car and says she’s “not ready to give this up yet.” She also alludes to some possible tension between LaBeouf and lead actress Florence Pugh.
“I feel like I’m not ready to give up on this yet, and I, too, am heartbroken and I want to figure this out,” she says in the video. “You know, I think this might be a bit of a wake-up call for Miss Flo, 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? Is there hope? Will you let me know?”
In another message sent at an unspecified time between Aug. 16 and Aug. 20, Wilde texted LaBeouf, “You don’t have to be in my movies but don’t ever doubt me. We pinky promised. That means something in my house.”
Florence Pugh will also not be doing any press promotion for Don’t Worry Darling.
Representatives for Wilde and Warner Bros. declined to comment.
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