Shia LaBeouf has come forward to dispute the claim that she was fired by director Olivia Wilde from “Don’t Worry Darling” as production begins in 2020.
LaBeouf claims that he decided to leave the production because he didn’t think the actors were given enough time to rehearse. In an August 24 cover story for Variety, Wilde opened up about LaBeouf’s departure from his film for the first time.
“I say this as someone who is such a fan of his work. His process didn’t fit the ethos I demand in my productions. They have a process that, in some ways, requires a combative energy, and I personally don’t believe it is best suited for performance. I believe the best way is to create a safe, trusting environment for people to do their best work. Ultimately, it is my responsibility to the production and the cast to protect them. That was my job,” Wilde said.
When contacted prior to the story’s publication, representatives for LaBeouf declined Variety’s request for comment on the matter.
But in email messages sent to Variety on August 25, LaBeouf denied that he was fired, instead saying that he “left the film due to lack of rehearsal time” on August 17, 2020. The actor sent two emails, which he claims were sent to him. Wild on August 24 and August 25 after the story was published. In the email, LaBeouf wrote, “Both you and I know the reasons for my exit. I left your film because your actors and I couldn’t find time to rehearse.
Variety has learned that the texts were sent before the Shia’s immersive way of knowing it.
Several studio sources told Variety at the time of LaBeouf’s exit that he had been fired from the project. But another source with knowledge of the situation described the parting as a collective belief that LaBeouf’s style of acting did not fit Wilde’s vision as a director. Representatives for Wilde and Warner Bros. declined to comment.
LaBeouf sent a variety of screenshots of text messages Wilde sent in August 2020, where he told Wilde that he had to back down from “Don’t Worry Darling”. He was cast as lead actor Jack, who was later reunited with Harry Styles.
According to the texts, LaBeouf and Wilde met in person in Los Angeles on August 16, 2020, to discuss their exit from the film. Later that night, Wilde wrote to him, “Thank you for including me in your thought process. I know it’s not fun. It doesn’t feel good to say no to anyone, and I respect your honesty.
I am honored that you were willing to go there with me so that I can share a story with you. I am disappointed because it could have been something special. I want to clarify how much it means to me that you trust me. It’s a gift I’ll take with me.”
LaBeouf claims he “officially” left “Don’t Worry Darling” the next day on August 17, 2020, according to an email he sent to Wilde on Thursday morning.
He included a video in Variety that Wilde reportedly sent on August 19, 2020, two days after he stepped down. In the video, Wilde is driving the car and says she is “not ready to give up yet.” She also hints at the tension between LaBeouf and Florence Pugh, who stars in the film as Alice, the wife of LaBeouf and Styles’ character Jack.
“I feel like I’m not ready to give up on it yet, and I’m also heartbroken and I want to find out,” she says in the video. “You know, I think it might be a wake-up call for Miss Flo, and I want to know if you’re ready to give it a shot with me, with us. If she’s really committed, If she really puts her mind and heart to this point and if you guys can make peace – and I respect your point, I respect that – but if you guys can do that, what should you do? Guess what? Is there any hope? Will you tell me?”
In another message sent at an unspecified time between August 16 and August 20, Wilde wrote to LaBeouf, “You don’t have to be in my movies, but never doubt me. We promised Pinky It means something in my house.”
This is what LaBeouf sent to Wilde on Wednesday:
I hope it makes you feel inspired, purposeful, complete and good. I pray every night that you and your family find health, happiness and everything that God gives me. No joke, every night before bed.
I have a little girl, Isabel; She is five months old and is starting to develop the last half of her laugh; It’s amazing. Mia, my wife and I have found each other again and are heading towards a healthy family with love and mutual respect.