Shia LaBeouf clapped back at Olivia Wilde after the director claimed she fired him from “Don’t Worry Darling.”
The 36-year-old “Even Stevens” claimed on Thursday that he chose to walk away from the upcoming film, writing in an email to Variety that he was “a little confused” when Wilde, 38, said otherwise.
“You and I both know the reasons for my departure,” LeBeouf wrote to the filmmaker. “I stopped your film because your actors and I couldn’t find time to rehearse.”
He asked Wilde to “correct the story”, adding: “I’ve never been fired, Olivia. And while I fully understand how appealing it is to push that story because of the current social landscape, the social currency that comes with that.” entails. It is not the truth.”
In the director’s recent cover story of “Booksmart,” she said she fired LaBeouf from the project to “protect” lead actress Florence Pugh. He was previously charged with assault and sought treatment in early 2021.
“His process was not conducive to the ethos I demand in my productions,” Wilde explains. “He has a process that in some ways seems to require a combative energy, and I personally don’t believe that is conducive to the best performance.”
In response, LaBeouf sent the magazine screenshots of alleged text messages between himself and the “OC” alum, who cast Harry Styles to replace him, to dispute her claims.
After meeting Wilde to discuss his departure on August 16, 2020, the former Disney Channel star reportedly received a message from the “House” alum telling him how “disappointed” she felt about his decision.
“Thank you for letting me think about your thought process,” Wilde wrote. ‘I know that’s no fun. It doesn’t feel right to say no to someone, and I respect your honesty.”
LaBeouf “officially quit” the next day, he claimed, and shared a video on August 19 of Wilde telling him she “wasn’t ready to give up on this yet.”
The director seemingly referenced a disagreement between LaBeouf and Pugh, 26, in the footage.
“I’m also heartbroken and I want to figure this out,” she said in the video. “You know, 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 trying this with me, with us.
“If she’s really committed, if she’s really putting her heart and heart into it right now, and if you two can make peace — and I respect your point of view, I respect hers — but if you can do it, what do you do? you think?” asked Wilde. “Is there hope? Will you let me know?”
In September 2020, news broke that Styles, 28, was taking over the role from LaBeouf. The former One Direction member is now in a relationship with Wilde.
Vidak For Congress reported earlier this month that Pugh was unhappy with the couple’s romance amid the Midsommar actress’s striking silence around the film.
“Don’t Worry Darling” hits theaters September 23.