Following the back and forth between Olivia Wilde and Shia LaBeouf over the latter’s role in Don’t Worry Darling, LaBeouf has once again briefly spoken up on the matter.
Appearing at the Venice Film Festival for the premiere of his latest film Padre Pio, LaBeouf spoke with The Hollywood Reporter via email and was once again asked about Wilde’s comments from last month. The comments alleged that LaBeouf’s “combative energy” led to actress Florence Pugh being uncomfortable, which ultimately forced Wilde to fire the actor.
Recently, Wilde has since doubled down on the claims, insisting that LaBeouf was “replaced” on the film in a new interview with Vanity Fair. LaBeouf had no interest in discussing the matter more, however, instead issuing a blessing to the film and director.
“It is what it is — every blessing to her and her film,” LaBeouf said.
The brief comment likely puts an end to what was an already brief back-and-forth between the two. In late August, LaBeouf denied any claims that he was fired from the production of Don’t Worry Darling in a letter sent to Variety, addressed to Wilde. In it, LaBeouf noted that he left the film due to a lack of adequate rehearsal time, even going so far as to provide texts and video to Variety that corroborated his story.
While the report noted that the texts were sent before the production team on Don’t Worry Darling learned of Shia’s immersive acting method, LaBeouf claims he quit the film the following day, on August 17, 2020, and even included a video (below) that Wilde allegedly sent him a few days later in which she is seen saying that she is “not ready to give up on this yet” and even seems to hint at tension between LaBeouf and actress Florence Pugh, with Wilde noting that the tension would be a “wake-up call for Miss Flo.”
The story was just one of many that caused the film to be thrust into the spotlight, following stories of tension between Florence Pugh and Olivia Wilde or rumors that Harry Styles had spit on Chris Pine at the film’s Venice premiere.
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As far as LaBeouf’s future goes, the actor said that his recovery is going well and also briefly touched on his role as Francesco Forgione, also known as Padre Pio — an Italian Franciscan Capuchin friar who became known for allegedly experiencing stigmata. LaBeouf said he could relate to the character, especially relating “very profoundly to the idea of being exiled from that which you love.”
