Olivia Wilde clears the air surrounding ‘Don’t Worry Darling’

At the time of “Don’t Worry Darling”‘s cinema release, filmmaker Olivia Wilde set the rumors straight behind her new film. On Wednesday, she sat on The Late Show for a quick interview. Host Stephen Colbert asked her about all the dramas revolving around the film set. 

For instance, Colbert questioned her about the ongoing tension with Shia LaBeouf and Florence Pugh’s exit. The latest issue, “Spitgate,” was also on the line of his questions. Director and actress Wilde openly addressed all the controversial issues.

Wilde opened up to Colbert about how she felt about the whole controversy. “The whole experience has changed my way of thinking about the internet. But it’s kind of ironic because all of this is really what the film’s about. The film is about narratives we are fed and whether we choose to accept them or question their sources.”

First, she cleared the issue of whether she fired actor Shia LaBeouf from the film. LaBeouf was set to play the leading role in ‘Don’t Worry Darling.’ However, in August, Wilde confirmed that she had fired LaBeouf because “his process was not conducive to the ethos that I demand in my productions.”

Stephen and Olivia Wilde discuss how male directors are often treated much differently than their female colleagues.

"This is something we've come to expect." –@oliviawilde pic.twitter.com/oSXm8iU86e

— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) September 22, 2022

In LaBeouf’s defense, he said he quit due to a lack of time to rehearse. He showed proof of his text exchanges with Wilde and a video she sent him after he left. In the video, Wilde asked him if he would consider returning. But He refused to, which made Harry Styles the lead actor. 

Wilde, who also acts in the movie, also mentioned Florence Pugh in the video she had sent to LaBeouf. She said in the video, “You know, I think this might be a wake-up call for Miss Flo. And I want to see if you’re open to giving this a shot with me, with us.

The director also told Colbert that she “tried to mediate a situation between people to see if they could work together happily. Olivia Wilde added, “Once it became clear that it was not a tenable working relationship, I was given an ultimatum. I chose my actress, which I’m very happy I did.”

Wilde also said that LaBeouf gave Variety’s details were entirely out of context. “At the time, was I bummed that we couldn’t make it work? Yes. Did information about him come to light later, making me confident we made the right decision? Yes.” She is referring to the lawsuit that singer FKA twigs filed against LaBeouf. 

On Wilde’s part on LaBeouf’s exit, she cleared, “We had to replace Shia. He is a fantastic actor. But it’s not going to work. When he gave me the ultimatum of, you know, him or Florence, I chose Florence. And that was him feeling he was stepping away and me feeling we were moving on without him.”

Olivia Wilde directed, produced, and acted in ‘Don’t Worry Darling’—all while navigating social media’s relentless scrutiny.

In V.F.’s October cover story, the star gives a frank interview about the “baseless rumors” surrounding her new film: https://t.co/k3bckKtVSA pic.twitter.com/KoQxoov3RJ

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) September 8, 2022

Furthermore, Olivia Wilde also cleared the issue about the “spitgate” incident. The issue had gone viral when a video from the Venice Film Festival circulated online showing Harry Styles spitting on Pine. They were sitting down for a movie premiere. 

Wilde was sitting next to Pine at 5that moment. She confirmed that Styles “did not” spit on Pine. She added, I think it’s a perfect example of, like, people will look for drama anywhere they can. Harry did not spit on Chris.” 

Colbert also asked if it’s true that she and Pugh have a feud. To which Wilde answered that she has “nothing but respect for Florence’s talent. She’s fantastic. She’s on the set of her movie Dune right now. There’s nothing cooler than a busy actress. I have nothing against her for any reason.”

She also noted that most of her fellow male directors are not required to answer questions about their behavior on set. Which she expects would cover up any controversies about Don’t Worry Darling. Wilde said, “People would be talking about the movie itself. “