#4: Why Are We So Worried, Darling?
Because we apparently live in an era where the drama surrounding a film is better than the film itself...
Have we ever really seen the amount of drama surrounding a film’s release as we have around Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling? Well, not in the last decade at least.
From rumours of on-set romps and flying gobs of spit, to one of the greatest three way rivalries since rock, paper, scissors - does entertainment really get any better than this? I would think not.
Every morning the internet wakes up to find yet another slice of gossip to devour - it’s got us all terribly interested. Fortunately, Wilde has relished in decreased media attention after the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II - it literally took the death of the UK’s longest-reigning monarch to deter public interest in Don’t Worry Darling. That’s when you know the drama is juicy.
If you aren’t aware of the minute details of this tangled web, firstly, that’s hideously embarrassing and, secondly, there will be a quick run-down provided to get you up to speed.
2020
Let’s take a trip back in time to 2020 - ah, the start of Covid. Genuinely seems like only a year ago, easily.
We were just settling into our perceived ideal work situations… or so we thought. Soon, we would realise that the idea of sitting in our pyjamas veging out on the sofa working from our laptop was a depressing reality most of us wouldn’t wish on our worst enemies.
Still, Wilde’s announcement that she would be directing a new film represented a small glimmer of hope. It had so much potential, so much promise - it was slated to be a brilliant release, given the success of her directorial debut with Booksmart. Oh, how naïve we were.
In April, the cast of Don’t Worry Darling was revealed. Pugh voiced her elation at learning she would be starting alongside Shia LaBeouf and Chris Pine. Wilde was similarly ecstatic, calling herself the luckiest director in the world.
Then, due to what Wilde originally cited as schedule conflicts, Deadline reported that LaBeouf was replaced as the lead with none other than One Direction’s most successful solo act, Harry Styles in September.
In November - a mere two months later - Wilde announced her split from longtime fiancé Jason Sudeikis. Talk about timing…
Sudeikis later told GQ that the split did, in fact, happen the same month it was announced.
Also in November, Wilde remarked that she wanted to cast Styles in the lead because apparently his style matched the opulence of the era in the film (Don’t Worry Darling is set in the 1950s). And we all know Mr. Styles has become somewhat of a fashion icon in recent years, known for his bold and gender-blurring outfit choices.
Then, in December, it was reported that LaBeouf’s ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs was suing him for a range of things, including sexual battery. Luckily enough, he was already off Wilde’s film, potentially avoiding what would have been an absolute PR nightmare for the director. Little did we realise that would have been the least of this film’s issues.
It is around this time that unnamed sources reveal that it wasn’t LaBeouf’s alleged scheduling conflicts that caused him to be removed from the film but, in fact, his penchant for exhibiting “poor behaviour,” per Variety. And this is where the mess began. Wilde also voiced her support for FKA Twigs on social media.
2021
Soon after New Years, reports start to pop up across the internet detailing how Wilde and Styles - who are aged 38 and 28, respectively - are the latest ‘It Couple.’
The two lovebirds were even pictured holding hands at the wedding of Styles’ manager, causing speculation as to just actually how long they had been dating at that point.
Drama commences its light simmer under the surface in February, when it was reported by Puck that leading lady, Pugh, was not too happy about how often Styles and Wilde would disappear together on set. It was claimed that, during shoot breaks and shot set ups, the pair were often nowhere to be found.
Rather annoying, that. Still, it always pays to be on, ahem, ‘good terms’ with your boss…
Wilde and Pugh were apparently engaged in a heated discussion about this matter on set, according to a source in Puck. Again, this is all alleged.
This year, the lawsuit brought by FKA Twigs against LaBeouf had its own set of issues which, for want of conciseness, will be omitted for now.
Later in February, Wilde posted glowing praises on her Instagram for Styles and Pugh, saying the latter was “talented,” “brave,” and “any director’s dream.”
An 11-second trailer for the film drops in September.
In December of ‘21, Wilde talks about how there’s no “good sex” in film anymore. Speaking to Vogue, she revealed that a scene where Styles goes down on Pugh was meant to expose the audience to proper “female pleasure.”
2022
The drama lies low for a few months before Wilde, who is speaking at a Comic Con event, is served a manilla folder while on stage that was later discovered to contain custody papers from her estranged ex, Jason Sudeikis.
In July, Page Six seems to suggest that Wilde’s and Styles’ relationship began as an affair, which then provided a sufficient enough explanation for Pugh’s concerns about the pair disappearing together while on set.
The unconfirmed source in Page Six also mentioned that Sudeikis had visited the set with the two young children he shares with Wilde. It’s getting a bit messy, now.
August rolls around and Wilde publicly states that Sudeikis’ serving of papers in April was deliberate attempt to “embarrass” her, while her ex-fiancé maintains that he had no idea Wilde would be served in such a public manner. It’s all a bit of a case of he-said, she-said.
The same month, Pugh speaks to Harper’s Bazaar about the focus her sex-scene with Styles was getting across the media, stating: “When it’s reduced to your sex scenes, or to watch the most famous man in the world go down on someone, it’s not why we do it. It’s not why I’m in this industry. Obviously, the nature of hiring the most famous pop star in the world, you’re going to have conversations like that. That’s just not what I’m going to be discussing because [this movie is] bigger and better than that. And the people who made it are bigger and better than that.”
This is then when shit completely HITS. THE. FAN… It makes me think of the old saying my mum always told me: “What a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive.”
Variety publishes an article on Wilde and Don’t Worry Darling. In it, the director addresses LaBeouf’s exit from the film, citing the fact that his process “was not conducive to the ethos” that she demands as a reason for his sudden departure. Wilde adds that LaBeouf has “combative energy” and that she was mindful of this when putting Pugh in vulnerable situations.
People generally seemed to be content with this reasoning because, honestly, given LaBeouf’s reputation in the industry it seemed legit. Or so we all thought.
Two days after the article was published, LaBeouf exposed Wilde - and boy did he have receipts.
Variety ended up publishing screenshots of texts as well as emails exchanged between LaBeouf and Wilde, showing that they had met in August of 2020 and discussed that he would leave for reasons that were not all made clear in the emails/texts. He does say that one reason was due to the fact he and other actors couldn’t find time to rehearse.
Thanks for letting me in on your thought process,” Wilde writes in one of the texts after the pair met. “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.”
Then, a video is leaked in early September - making its rounds across Twitter (as all decent tea does).
In it, Wilde can be heard saying: “Shia, Shia, Shia,” in a weirdly unnerving singsongy way… almost like some kid at the start of a Stephen King horror film.
She continues by saying she doesn’t want to give up on LaBeouf, saying that his staying could be “a bit of a wakeup call for Miss Flo.” Wilde is then heard asking LaBeouf whether he would be willing to give the film another shot if Pugh “commits.”
Funnily enough, this video seems to provide evidence that Wilde has been juuuuust a tad duplicitous in her reasonings for LaBeouf’s departure from Don’t Worry Darling. But, the drama fiends we are, we are oh so loving seeing this all unravel before our eyes.
It was revealed, the same day at this video leak, that Pugh would not be doing press for Don’t Worry Darling, (but would still attend the Venice International Film Festival premiere) and would have limited availability for her role in the Dune sequel. Coincidence? I think not… as it’s probably pretty important to note that Warner Bros are distributing both films, and could easily have made exceptions for Pugh to be more available in my humble opinion.
Especially because everyone’s favourite fledgling fashion icon and Dune 2 star, Timothée Chalamet, was able to do press at Venice for his upcoming flick, Bones and All.
And also, while not relevant, can we just appreciate this totally out there fashion risk? Because, honestly, this ish paid off.
Anyway… Wilde was asked to address her alleged feud with Pugh at a Don’t Worry Darling press conference - where she gave an incredibly diplomatic answer that obviously completely avoided the question and just drew the focus to praise of Pugh.
“As for all the endless tabloid gossip and all the noise out there, the internet feeds itself,” she says. “I don’t feel the need to contribute; I think it’s sufficiently well-nourished.”
A moderator conveniently blocks a follow-up question about LaBeouf.
Pugh joins the rest of the cast for the red carpet walk, with Gemma Chan and Chris Pine stand between Styles, Wilde, and Pugh - you know, just in case the triad wish to throw fists at the premiere. I mean, it’s almost comical at this point.
Then, at the screening, the internet claims Styles spat on Pine as he sat down to watch the film (this has since been addressed by reps who vehemently denied a spit took place). A 4-minute standing ovation ensued, where Pugh appears to avoid Wilde’s eye line.
After the film festival ended in Venice, Wilde’s Vanity Fair October cover interview went live, where she maintains that it was LaBeouf’s behaviour that caused her to fire him from set, especially since Pugh had voiced her concerns to Wilde about him previously.
“My responsibility was towards [Pugh]. I’m like a mother wolf. Making the call was tricky, but in a way he understood. I don’t think it would’ve been a process he enjoyed,” Wilde said.
“He comes at his work with an intensity that can be combative. It wasn’t the ethos that I demand in my productions. I want him to get well and to evolve because I think it’s a great loss to the film industry when someone that talented is unable to work.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is all of our worries in one succinct piece. But, be warned, more drama may be brewing.