A Variety report states that LaBeouf “exhibited bad behavior” in Wilde’s new film and “his style came into conflict with the cast and crew”.
In late April, news emerged that Olivia Wilde cast Florence Pugh and Shia LaBeouf as the protagonists of the psychological thriller “Don’t Worry Darling”, her long-awaited second film as a director after the great success of “Booksmart”. In September, LaBeouf was replaced by Harry Styles as the film’s male protagonist. Deadline reported at the time that LaBeouf “left the project due to a scheduling conflict”, but a new Variety report states that LaBeouf was fired from the project by Wilde due to alleged bad behavior.
As reported by Variety: “In September, LaBeouf was officially withdrawn from the project. Instead, studio sources announced that Harry Styles would replace him, citing a scheduling conflict. It turns out that this was not the full story. Variety found that LaBeouf was removed from the film. Although filming had not yet started when LaBeouf left, sources close to the project say LaBeouf exhibited bad behavior and his style came into conflict with the cast and crew, including Wilde, who ended up firing him.
“He’s not an easy guy to work with,” a source close to “Don’t Worry Darling” told Variety, adding that the actor was “discouraging” for Wilde and other cast and crew members. The source noted that Wilde “is known for building collaborative sets with a zero-ass policy.”
LaBeouf’s alleged dismissal of “Don’t Worry Darling” came about three months before singer and actress FKA Twigs filed a lawsuit against LaBeouf for alleged sexual assault and abuse. FKA Twigs starred alongside LaBeouf in the film “Honey Boy” and the two artists dated for about a year. The lawsuit accuses LaBeouf of violent attacks, including strangulation and of knowingly giving FKA Twins a sexually transmitted disease, among other charges. Wilde was one of several women in Hollywood to show support for FKA Twigs on social media.
After the lawsuit, Netflix removed LaBeouf’s name from the pages of the FYC award campaign for his upcoming drama “Pieces of a Woman”. The film, directed by Kornél Mundruczó, stars LaBeouf alongside Vanessa Kirby, who won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival and is widely seen as one of the main candidates for an Oscar nomination.
“These are serious allegations and difficult to read,” Mundruczó told Variety in his first statement about the LaBeouf lawsuit. “My heart was filled with sadness and sadness as I read the reports. I believe that all humans must feel that they can come forward and tell their truth. I’m with you. We are proud that the film focuses on the complexity and beauty of a women’s journey. Our focus remains on illuminating our deeply personal story. “
IndieWire contacted representatives from Wilde and LaBeouf for further comments on the alleged dismissal of the “Don’t Worry Darling” actor. Visit Variety to read more about the report.
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