Olivia Wilde Says She Fired Shia LaBeouf from 'Don't Worry Darling' to 'Protect' from 'Combative Energy'

Mar. 15, 2025

Olivia Wildeis explaining why she firedShia LaBeouffrom her upcoming filmDon’t Worry Darling.

In an interview withVarietypublished this week, the actor/director, 38, recalled casting the male lead oppositeFlorence Pughfor the thriller.Harry Styles, who was eventually cast in the role following LaBeouf’s departure, was Wilde’s initial choice though was not an option as he was on tour, she told the magazine.

In 2020, as production was beginning on the film, Wilde made the decision to fire LaBeouf. While initial reports said his leaving the production was due to a scheduling conflict,PEOPLE confirmedin December of that year that the actor was in fact fired.

Olivia Wilde; Shia LaBeouf.Taylor Hill/WireImage; Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Wilde opened up for the first time about what really motivated his exit in the new interview.

“I say this as someone who is such an admirer of his work,” she said. “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.”

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She continued, “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.”

Harry Styles and Florence Pugh in Don’t Worry Darling.Warner Bros. Pictures

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“A lot came to light after this happened that really troubled me, in terms of his behavior,” Wilde toldVariety. “I find myself just really wishing him health and evolution because I believe in restorative justice.”

“But for our film,” she continued, “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.”

A rep for LaBeouf did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

As the COVID pandemic canceled Styles' tour at the time, Wilde was then able to cast who she called “the perfect Jack.”

Don’t Worry Darlingis in theaters Sept. 23.

source: people.com