Olivia Wilde has opened up about her decision to drop Shia LaBeouf from his role in Don't Worry Darling, the film Wilde is directing and starring in.
Shia played the role of Jack, alongside Florence Pugh, but was then replaced by Harry Styles, due to "schedule conflicts".
But now, Wilde has spoken more about the event: "I say this as someone who has admired his work. His performance was not conducive to the ethics I seek in my productions. He has a method that somehow requires an aggressive energy, and I personally don't believe it is suited to perform at the best."
Wilde continued: “I believe in creating a safe and trusting environment, as this is the best way for people to give their best at work. At the end of the day, my responsibility to the production and the cast is to protect them. This is my job".
The director and actress also mentioned the period after LaBeouf's expulsion, saying, "A lot of things came to light after (the expulsion) happened that really bothered me," referring to Shia's behavior. She claimed that the vulnerable situations in which Florence, the protagonist of "Don't Worry Darling", was placed were vulnerable, so everyone should be very supportive towards her.
Wilde wished health and positive developments in life to Shia and indicated that there is nothing personal, just professional.
A few months after Shia's departure from the film, his ex-girlfriend Tahliah Barnett sued him for sexual abuse and denigration. She described the relationship with LaBeouf as a "living nightmare" and claimed that the actor knowingly infected her with sexually transmitted diseases.
LaBeouf has denied the allegations and his legal team has said that the actor "did not cause any harm or injury" to his ex-partner, thus denying any claims.
However, the actor admitted that his struggle with alcohol had led him to be abusive to the people around him.
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