Olivia Wilde has revealed her reason for firing Shia LaBeouf from her film Don’t Worry Darling.
The director had originally cast the Transformers star in the leading role of Jack, opposite Florence Pugh’s Alice, in her upcoming sci-fi thriller, before Harry Styles eventually took over.
At the time, it was announced that LaBeouf was leaving the project due to ‘scheduling conflicts’, with Styles, who was the first choice for the role, confirmed soon after.
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Now the Booksmart filmmaker has shed light on why the 36-year-old was removed from the project and explained that LaBeouf’s ‘process was not conducive’ to the ethos she ‘demands’ on set.
She told Variety: “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.
"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.
“I believe that creating a safe, trusting environment is the best way to get people to do their best work. Ultimately, my responsibility is to the production and to the cast to protect them. That was my job."
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After his exit from the film, LaBeouf's was accused of sexual battery and abuse by ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs during their year-long relationship, a claim he has denied.
The British singer filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2020, with the case set to be heard in 2023. In the wake of the allegations, he also split with his talent agency CAA and began receiving inpatient care.
After Twigs’ claims to light, Wilde publicly backed her on Instagram and offered her ‘love, respect and support’.
The OC star continued: “A lot came to light after this happened that really troubled me, in terms of his behavior. I find myself just really wishing him health and evolution because I believe in restorative justice.
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“But 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.
“We found the perfect Jack, and luckily, it’s kind of magical that it ended up being our first choice.”
Back in February 2021, Wilde previously alluded to her clash with LaBeouf's process in a previous interview with the publication, explaining how she implemented a 'no a**holes policy' onset.
Don't Worry Darling, which comes out next month, stars Pugh and Styles as a married couple who become ensnared with a mysterious organisation in their idyllic town.
Featured Image Credit: MediaPunch Inc / ZUMA Press, Inc. / AlamyTopics: TV And Film