Shia LaBeouf Shuts Down 'Don't Worry Darling' Rumors: 'Firing Me Never Took Place, Olivia'
"Transformers" star Shia Labeouf sets the record straight in a statement about the real reason for his departure in Olivia Wilde's "Don't Worry Darling".
Recently, director Olivia Wilde spilled the tea about firing LaBeouf on her film and recasting with Harry Styles due to safety reasons amidst his timely controversial headlines. However, it seems that the 36 year old actor has caught wind of the news and wants to clear up some details.
The "Honey Boy" actor forwarded an email to Variety that he says to have sent to the "Don't Worry Darling" director as well, addressing the false claims. Originally, LaBeouf was set to star in the film as Jack, alongside Florence Pugh as his partner, Alice.
"I am greatly honored by your words on my work; thank you, that felt good to read," LaBeouf wrote to Wilde. "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."
Additionally, LaBeouf acknowledges the recent controversial headlines against him and his "failings" with his ex-girlfriend. In 2020, FKA Twigs filed a lawsuit against LaBeouf for sexual battery and assault, the same year that he was allegedly "fired" off the film.
"Firing me never took place, Olivia," LaBeouf wrote. "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. 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."
Attached to the message were screenshots of texts between LaBeouf and Wilde, where the actor told the director that he would have to back out from the film project due to a complicated schedule on Aug. 16, 2020, to which Wilde acknowledged but stated that she is "heartbroken" at their failed collaboration. LaBeouf officially exited the project on the next day, August 17.
In the full email he had forwarded to Variety, the actor also revealed that he was on the road to sobriety and with a new moral compass. LaBeouf had recently opened up about his religious conversion and journey to redemption.
