Olivia Wilde Addresses Rumors of Fight With Florence Pugh on ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Set

Olivia Wilde is finally tackling the persistent rumors about the set of ‘Don’t Worry Darling’, firmly denying allegations of a heated argument with Florence Pugh during the film’s production.

In a recent interview with The Cut, Wilde reflected on the drama that surrounded the 2022 psychological thriller, stating that the tension surrounding the film escalated far beyond what actually transpired behind the scenes.

The director, who also starred in the film, pushed back against claims of a screaming match with Pugh during filming. “I have never had a screaming match on my set. I was never not available on set. I wanted to be like, ‘None of this is true,’” Wilde shared with The Cut.

Wilde expressed regret for not addressing the rumors sooner as speculation about the production and her personal life began to circulate. She mentioned that those involved with the movie advised her against making a public statement at the time. “I resent that, but it taught me it’s not the way I want to handle things,” she remarked.

The controversy surrounding ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about topics in 2022. While many rumors stemmed from anonymous sources and online speculation, several incidents fueled reports of tension between Wilde and Pugh.

A significant issue involved actor Shia LaBeouf, who was initially cast as the male lead before being replaced by Harry Styles. Wilde later stated that she removed LaBeouf from the project to foster a safer environment on set.

However, LaBeouf claimed he was not fired, citing scheduling conflicts and a lack of rehearsal time as his reasons for leaving. The situation became more complex when LaBeouf released a video of Wilde attempting to persuade him to stay on the film.

In the video, Wilde appeared to ask LaBeouf to reconsider his departure and mentioned Pugh, saying, “I think this might be a bit of a wake-up call for Miss Flo, and I want to know if you’re open to giving this a shot with me, with us.”

The leaked video sparked criticism as it seemed to contradict Wilde’s previous statements about the situation. Another source of controversy was Wilde’s relationship with Harry Styles, who joined the film after LaBeouf’s exit. During filming, Wilde and Styles began dating while she was separating from actor Jason Sudeikis.

Reports later surfaced claiming that Pugh was dissatisfied with the situation and that Wilde’s relationship impacted the production. Some sources suggested that Wilde was less involved on set than anticipated, but she has consistently denied these claims, labeling them false.

Tension persisted during the film’s promotional tour. Wilde often emphasized the film’s themes of female empowerment and its intimate scenes, while Pugh reportedly felt uncomfortable with the focus being placed primarily on that aspect of the movie.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Pugh expressed her frustration that the hard work behind the film was being overshadowed by discussions about its sex scenes.

The rumors peaked during the Venice Film Festival premiere in 2022. Pugh attended the premiere but skipped the press conference, officially due to her filming schedule for ‘Dune: Part Two’. Her limited participation in promoting the film only fueled speculation about a disagreement with Wilde.

Throughout the controversy, Wilde continued to commend Pugh’s talent, describing her as a significant force in the film. However, Pugh largely remained silent regarding the situation.

Years later, Wilde’s remarks indicate her desire to clarify the narrative surrounding ‘Don’t Worry Darling’. While many details remain debated, she insists that the dramatic reports did not reflect her experience on set.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!