Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty
On Friday, Shia LaBeouf disputed claims made by director Olivia Wilde as to why he was fired from her upcoming film Don’t Worry Darling in a report by Variety. In emails he sent to the publication, LeBeouf asserted that he left the film due to a lack of rehearsal time as opposed to Wilde’s claims in a recent profile, also in Variety, that the two had different working styles, stating that his acting process “require[d] a combative energy.”
The evidence LaBeouf provided in the article included text messages from Wilde and a video she allegedly sent him two days after he claimed to have quit the production, asking if he can “make peace” with actress Florence Pugh, who he would’ve co-starred with in Don’t Worry Darling. The video, in particular, seemed to satisfy social-media users circulating rumors that Pugh developed a beef with Wilde during filming. Folks also pointed out what seemed like a discrepancy between Wilde’s alleged pursuit of the actor amid conflicts with Pugh and the strict “no assholes policy” she had previously discussed in an interview.
Reactions to the article have focused less on LaBeouf’s specific allegations and more on Wilde’s professionalism and values as a self-proclaimed feminist. However, the timing of LaBeouf’s allegations ultimately appear more questionable—and worrying—than Wilde’s competence as a director. Given the Honey Boy actor’s current sexual battery and assault lawsuit from his former girlfriend, singer FKA Twigs, that’s set for trial next April, and his recent public appearances, we might have to strap in for what could be a long, ugly, misogynistic redemption tour.