Don’t worry, honeyOlivia Wilde’s directorial follow-up after 2019 Booksmart, is causing controversy before it hits theaters on September 23rd. The film, starring Florence Pugh, also marks pop star Harry Styles’ first major starring role. Written by screenwriter Katie Silberman and starring Chris Pine, Kiki Lane, Nick Kroll and Gemma Chan, Don’t worry, honey has been highly anticipated since it was announced in 2019.
But on the eve of its premiere, Don’t worry, honey attracted attention not only with its stellar cast. In July, Page sixciting anonymous sources, reported that Pugh had fallen out with Wilde, sparking gossip and speculation online, fueled by recent publicity interviews given by Wilde, Pewand Styles. And internet interest in the film’s leads — Wilde and Stiles reportedly began dating after meeting on the film’s set — is at a fever pitch.
Many cite sexism as the driving force behind the rumors and drama. Wilde has been criticized for dating the star of her own film, something male directors have done for decades without the same level of outrage. There’s an added layer of chatter from Styles’ fans who are unhappy with Wilde and expressing their dislike for her online. There’s also the obsession Hollywood—and the world at large—has with women who may not get along, drawing attention to “feuds” that may not actually exist.
There is also the question of whether there is any truth to these rumors, many of which come from anonymous sources and are spread by TikTok. Either way, all eyes will be on Wilde and the cast as the film nears its release.
What is Don’t worry, honey around, and when will it be released?
A psychological thriller set in an idyllic 1950s town, the film follows Alice (Pugh) as she uncovers a dark secret hidden by her husband Jack (Stiles) after one of the housewives in their neighborhood goes missing. The film will premiere at the Venice Film Festival and then to a wider audience on September 23. The film was also subject to a bidding war between multiple studiosthanks to the strong script and critical success of Wilde’s debut film.
Its trailer teased that the film will be a visual funhouse with an engaging mystery anchoring the plot. Wilde also noted that the film focused on female pleasure. “Men don’t get into this movie,” she said Diversity. “Only women here!”
Olivia Wilde and Florence Pugh’s different views on the film
Pugh initially expressed publicly that she was thrilled to be involved Don’t worry, honeyWilde calling her “idol” in 2020. But the more Wilde posted about the production over the next two years, the less Pugh did, prompting gossip sites and TikTok accounts to I’m speculating that Pugh was not enjoying his time working on the film.
When the trailer since the movie was released on July 21st, Pugh didn’t post it on her Instagram story and promoted it instead Oppenheimera Christopher Nolan-directed film in which she appears, which is scheduled for release in 2023. That same day, Wilde praised Pugh in Instagram post – no response or interaction from Pugh. In TikTok, users have been analyze Pew’s movements, noting it’s unusual for her not to post about her upcoming projects. There is an expectation that celebrities, who typically have massive online followings, promote their work as part of the marketing process. While not every celebrity engages online, it’s relatively common for actors to post trailers, posters, and other ephemera to their Instagram and Twitter accounts. Pugh has only posted once about Don’t worry, honey specifically — on movie trailerearlier in August.
Speculation grew as to why the two did not get along. Then News reports that Pugh was unhappy that Wilde kept “disappearing” with Styles on set after the two began a romantic relationship.
Pugh has not commented on reports of a rift between her and Wilde. She discussed her frustration with the intense focus on the sex scenes between her and Stiles Don’t worry, honeytrailer of, the same ones that Wilde claims are at the center of female pleasure. In August, Pugh said Harper’s Bazaar: “When it comes down to your sex scenes or watching the most famous man in the world pick on someone, that’s not why we do it. That’s not why I’m in this industry,” she said. “Obviously the nature of hiring the most famous pop star in the world is that you’re going to have those kinds of conversations. I’m just not going to discuss this because [this movie is] bigger and better than that. And the people who made it are bigger and better than that.
On 26 Aug. TheWrap reported that Pugh has limited his presence at promotional press events for the film, citing “three executives associated with the film as well as a person with knowledge of Pugh’s involvement.” According to these studio executives, Pugh’s absence was mostly related to her filming commitments for Dune: Part Two.
What Olivia Wilde Said – And What Does It Have To Do With Shia LaBeouf?
In April 2020, it was announced that Shia LaBeouf had been cast as Jack. In September, LaBeouf left the film, citing scheduling conflicts, and Styles took over the role.
A few months after his public exit from the film, LaBeouf’s ex-girlfriend and singer FKA Twigs filed a sexual assault lawsuit against him. “I just didn’t want anyone else to get hurt, and that trumped any feelings I had about what people might think of me now, positive or negative,” Twiggs said British GQ in June 2022, LaBeouf’s lawyers denied the allegations. But in August 2022 podcast interview with actor Jon Bernthal LaBeouf said, “I hurt this woman.” The trial is scheduled for April 17, 2023.
There was little mention of the casting changes until Wilde said in August 2022 that she had fired LaBeouf. “He has a process that somehow seems to require combative energy, and I personally don’t believe that’s conducive to the best performances,” she said. “Creating a safe, reliable 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.”
Two days later, LaBeouf contradicted Wilde’s claims, saying Diversity that he wasn’t fired, but that he left because there wasn’t enough time to rehearse. He also shared a video he claims Wilde sent him in which she appears to be trying to get him back on board and appears to confirm that she and Pugh had some differences of opinion on set.
“I feel like I’m not ready to let it go yet and I’m heartbroken too and I want to get that out,” Wilde says in the video, “You know, I think this might be a bit of a wake-up call for Miss Flo and I want to know if you are willing to try this with me, with us. If she really commits, if she really puts her mind and heart into it at this point, and if you can make peace—and I respect your point of view, I respect hers—but if you can do it, what do you think? is there hope Will you let me know?’
LaBeouf also shared an email he said he sent to Wilde. “We both know the reasons for my departure,” the email reads, “I left your film because your actors and I could not find time for rehearsals.” that she had a fight with Pugh.
How did Florence Pugh and Harry Styles react?
Pugh has not directly responded to the controversy since LaBeouf’s comments became public. However, she began to limit her participation in public events to promote the film. Styles has not publicly commented on the ongoing drama.
Asked in an interview in August about Associated Press about the buzz surrounding the film, Wilde said he hopes people will see it. “If people are excited about a movie, for whatever reason, what you hope is that it gets them in the door.”
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