Shia LaBeouf is calling Olivia Wilde’s bluff.
The former Disney Channel star is hitting back at the director’s claim that she fired him from “Don’t Worry Darling.”
This week, Wilde appeared on the cover of Variety and did an in-depth cover story for the publication.
Shia LaBeouf Claps Back At Olivia Wilde’s Claims She Fired Him
In the story, she opened up about her relationship with ex-fiancé, Jason Sudeikis, her new relationship with Harry Styles and her upcoming project, “Don’t Worry Darling.”
It was filled to the brim with information.
While speaking about her upcoming film, Wilde said she let LaBeouf go from the project in order to protect the cast and crew.
Olivia Claims She Fired LaBeouf To Protect The Production & Her Cast
“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,” Wilde explained. “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.”
Before the cover story was published, Variety reached out to LaBeouf’s team to see if he’d like to issue a statement, he chose not to.
However, given all the chatter her comments about the actor garnered, LaBeouf is now speaking out.
In an email sent to the publication on August 25th, the “Transformers” actor denied being fired.
LaBeouf claims HE QUIT the film, not the other way around.
He also shared two emails he sent Wilde on August 24th and 25th outlining his disapproval.
LaBeouf Quit Due To Lack Of Rehearsal Time
LaBeouf wrote, “You and I both know the reasons for my exit. I quit your film because your actors and I couldn’t find time to rehearse.”
He also sent Variety screenshots of text messages he sent to Wilde in August 2020, where he told Wilde he’d have to back out of “Don’t Worry Darling.”
LaBeouf was set to take on the lead role of Jack opposite of Florence Pugh. Ironically enough, the role ended up going to Wilde’s now-boyfriend, Styles.
The text messages show that LaBeouf and Wilde met up in Los Angeles on August 16, 2020. After their meeting, the actress reached out to him saying, “Thanks for letting me in on your thought process. I know that isn’t fun. Doesn’t feel good to say no to someone, and I respect your honesty. I’m honored you were willing to go there with me, for me to tell a story with you. I’m gutted because it could have been something special. I want to make clear how much it means to me that you trust me. That’s a gift I’ll take with me.”
He claims to have quit “Don’t Worry Darling” the following day on August 17, 2020.
What’s more, LaBeouf also provided a video Wilde sent him on August 19, 2020, in which she asks him to give ‘DWD’ another shot.
Wilde Reportedly Begged LaBeouf To Come Back To The Production
“I feel like I’m not ready to give up on this yet, and I too am heartbroken and I want to figure this out,” Wilde says in the video. “You know, I think this might be a bit of a wake-up call for Miss Flo [Pugh], and I want to know if you’re open to giving this a shot with me, with us. If she really commits, if she really puts her mind and heart into it at this point and if you guys can make peace — and 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?”
Fast forward to August 25, 2022.
LaBeouf emailed Wilde to address her claims she fired him.
In an email shared with Variety, LaBeouf wrote, “What inspired this email today is your latest Variety story. I am greatly honored by your words on my work; thank you, that felt good to read. I am a little confused about the narrative that I was fired, however. You and I both know the reasons for my exit. I quit your film because your actors & I couldn’t find time to rehearse. I have included as a reminder the screenshots of our text exchange on that day, and my text to Tobey.”
His email didn’t stop there.
“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,” LaBeouf continued. “So I am humbly asking, as a person with an eye toward making things right, that you correct the narrative as best you can. I hope none of this negatively effects you, and that your film is successful in all the ways you want it to be.”