Olivia Wilde says Shia LaBeouf was fired from ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ to keep Florence Pugh ‘safe’

nypost.com:

Variety that she originally envisioned the “Watermelon Sugar” singer for the role of Jack, the sketchy husband of a suburban housewife named Alice, but Styles, 28, had already hit the road for a global tour.

Thus, LaBeouf, 36, was cast instead. But by early production in 2020, Wilde said the “Honeyboy” actor had to go. “I say this as someone who is such an admirer of his work: His process was not conducive to the ethos that I demand in my productions,” Wilde told the outlet. “He has a process that, in some ways, seems to require a combative energy, and I don’t personally believe that is conducive to the best performances.”At the time of LaBeouf’s departure, the studio claimed he had scheduling conflicts, while Wilde insisted on her “no a–holes policy.” Luckily for her, the COVID-19 pandemic canceled Styles’ tour and freed up his schedule to star in the film.

Later in 2020, LaBeouf’s former partner FKA Twigs filed a lawsuit against him, claiming sexual, emotional and psychological abuse.“A lot came to light after this happened that really troubled me, in terms of his behavior,” Wilde said. “For our film, what we really needed was an energy that was incredibly supportive.

Particularly with a movie like this, I knew that I was going to be asking Florence to be in very vulnerable situations, and my priority was making her feel safe and making her feel supported.”As seen in the “Darling” trailer, Styles gives Pugh oral sex on a dining room table, and the couple also appears naked in bed. “I believe that creating a safe, trusting environment is the best way to get people to do their best work,” she added.