Shia LeBeouf has hit back at Olivia Wilde’s claims that she had fired him from her latest directorial venture, Don’t Worry Darling, which is due out on September 23, 2022. According to the Man Down actor,  it was he who had quit the project due to a lack of rehearsal time with other members of the cast. Wilde had made such comments in a Variety cover story. Don’t Worry Darling stars Wilde herself, alongside Harry Styles (Wilde’s boyfriend, who replaced LeBeouf), Florence Pugh, and Chris Pine.

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In the interview, Wilde claimed, “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.” Wilde also said that it is her firm belief that a safe and trusting work environment brings the best out of everyone, and that as the director, it is her responsibility to protect her cast and crew.

LeBeouf shared his version of the story in an email he sent to Variety. He also sent them a video where Wilde is seen asking him to make peace with “Miss Flo”, an apparent reference to Pugh, suggesting that there were/are tensions between the two actors. She also says, “I respect your point of view, I respect hers — but if you guys can do it, what do you think? Is there hope? Will you let me know?”

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The 36-year-old actor also shared an email he had sent to Wilde after her comments came to light. In it, he tells Wide “Firing me never took place, Olivia. And while I fully understand the attractiveness of pushing that story because of the current social landscape, the social currency that brings. It is not the truth.”, referring to the current socio-political climate that has seen some influential figures get cancelled over their behaviours with co-stars and other associates.