Thread by @Variety

Shia LaBeouf has come forward to dispute the assertion that he was fired from #DontWorryDarling by director Olivia Wilde just as production was starting in 2020.

bit.ly/3AoLE3l

LaBeouf asserts that he chose to leave the production because he didn’t feel the actors were given adequate time to rehearse. bit.ly/3AoLE3l

"His process was not conducive to the ethos that I demand in my productions," Wilde told Variety of LaBeouf's departure in this week's cover story. "Ultimately, my responsibility is to the production and to the cast to protect them. That was my job." bit.ly/3AoLE3l

LaBeouf’s representatives declined Variety‘s request for comment on the matter when contacted prior to the story’s publication. But in email messages sent to Variety, LaBeouf denied he was fired, claiming he “quit the film due to lack of rehearsal time." bit.ly/3AoLE3l

The actor forwarded two emails he claims to have sent to Wilde on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25. In the emails, 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.” bit.ly/3AoLE3l

Several studio sources told Variety at the time of LaBeouf’s exit that he had been fired. But another source describes the parting as more of a collective recognition that LaBeouf’s style of acting wasn’t a good fit for Wilde’s approach as a director. bit.ly/3AoLE3l

LaBeouf 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.” He was cast as the lead actor Jack, which was later recast with Harry Styles. bit.ly/3AoLE3l

According to the texts, LaBeouf and Wilde met in person in Los Angeles to discuss his exit from the film on Aug. 16, 2020. Later that night, Wilde texted him, “Thanks for letting me in on your thought process. I know that isn’t fun." bit.ly/3AoLE3l

"Doesn’t feel good to say no to someone, and I respect your honesty," Wilde's text continues. "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." bit.ly/3AoLE3l

Variety has learned that the texts were sent before the production learned what Shia’s immersive method entailed. bit.ly/3AoLE3l

He included a video to Variety that Wilde allegedly sent him on Aug. 19, 2020, two days after he claimed he quit. In the video, Wilde is driving a car and says she is “not ready to give up on this yet.” bit.ly/3AoLE3l

"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 giving this a shot with me, with us," Wilde says in the video. bit.ly/3AoLE3l

Wilde continues: "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?" bit.ly/3AoLE3l

In another message sent at an unspecified time between Aug. 16 and Aug. 20, Wilde texted LaBeouf, “You don’t have to be in my movies but don’t ever doubt me. We pinky promised. That means something in my house.” bit.ly/3AoLE3l

Get the story and read LaBeouf's full email to Wilde: bit.ly/3AoLE3l