Actress and director Olivia Wilde has been making headlines recently due to the whirlwind of drama and controversy that has surrounded her latest directorial venture Don’t Worry Darling. The film marks Wilde’s second time in the director's chair following her 2019 coming-of-age feature Booksmart. Starring MCU star Florence Pugh and global pop star Harry Styles, the film follows a Stepford Wives meets WandaVision narrative that sees Pugh take on the role of a suspicious 1950s housewife as her world slowly begins to show its cracks.
Despite the interesting thriller concept and its incredibly talented cast, the film became well known in the public eye due to the significant amount of drama that was speculated to have taken place before, during, and after filming. However, following the film’s release and its backlash reaching its peak, a fresh point of view emerged on the situation that placed Wilde at the receiving end of decades of Hollywood misogyny. But what exactly went down, and how did this reflect issues of sexism that women continue to face in the film industry?
7 The Drama Kicked Off Due To Casting Issues
If one were to pinpoint the exact start of the chaotic whirlwind that was Don’t Worry Darling, one would have to go all the way back to 2020. During the earliest days of the film’s production, the leading role of Jack was initially given to Fury star Shia LaBeouf. However, his involvement in the project was quickly compromised. Wilde went on the record to state that she didn't agree with the actor’s “combative energy” and that it was her responsibility to protect the film’s leading lady Pugh. Thus, LaBeouf was asked to pull out of the project. However, it seems as though the story had not been an accurate representation of what had actually gone down on set. According to Variety, LaBeouf slammed back at Wilde claiming that he had been the one to quit the film due to the lack of rehearsal time.
6 Things Kicked Up A Notch When Harry Styles Took On The Leading Male Role
Following LaBeouf’s exit from the project, it was announced that Wilde’s now-partner and global superstar Styles, would be taking on the role of Jack in the film. This caused further controversy as reports came in of Wilde and Styles’ inappropriate behavior during the production of the film. According to Page Six [via Evening Standard], a source close to Pugh detailed the actress’ discomfort toward her co-stars during the filming of the thriller.
The source stated, “I can tell you for a fact that Flo seeing Olivia and Harry all over each other on set did not go down well.”
5 Rumors Of A Feud Between Florence Pugh And Olivia Wilde Began To Circulate
As the production of the film came to a close and the press run began, rumors of a feud between Wilde and Pugh spread like wildfire. Unlike Wilde and the rest of the film’s cast, Pugh seemingly refused to utilize any of her online platforms to promote the film despite bringing attention to other upcoming projects of hers. Fuel was added to the already burning fire when Pugh failed to attend any of the film’s press events. While it was assured that the reason behind her absence was Pugh’s conflicting Dune schedule, fans speculated that the real reason may have been the feud between the actresses.
4 Tensions Reached Their Peak At The Film’s Premiere
The controversy and drama surrounding Don’t Worry Darling reached its height during the film’s premiere in Venice in September 2022. As Pugh arrived on the red carpet she greeted several of her supporting co-stars including Chris Pine, Gemma Chan, and Nick Kroll. However, throughout the night she and Wilde made minimal contact with each other, both cozying up to their other co-stars instead. In addition to this, Pugh seemingly threw shade at Wilde during a red-carpet interview on the night.
Pugh stated, “I think it's very very inspiring to see a woman push back and say 'no', and question everything. It's very exciting to see a woman do that on and off camera.”
3 Olivia Wilde Received Significant Backlash For Her Behavior
Despite several parties being involved in the Don't Worry Darling controversy, it was the film’s figurehead and director, Wilde, that received the large majority of backlash. Whether it be for her feud with Pugh, her behavior onset with Styles, or even her promotion of the film, Wilde found herself on the receiving end of some pretty harsh criticism from audiences across the globe. While some came for her “unprofessionalism”, others called the actress-director out for her questionable views of “female pleasure” and power that she detailed the film being about
2 But Would Things Have Played Out Differently If Olivia Wilde Was A Man?
As the drama surrounding the film continued to hit the headlines, a new debate arose among audiences and fans. The significant backlash that Wilde received began to pose the question of whether her gender had anything to do with the controversy. Many began to question if the entire situation would have received the same reaction from the public had Wilde been male. This led several people to delve into the deep-rooted misogyny in Hollywood as some shed light on several famous male directors and the lack of consequence that they received despite having committed far worse wrongdoings than Wilde. Take, for example, Fandom Wire as they highlighted how, despite his affair with his underage stepdaughter, Hollywood icon Woody Allen is still recognized as one of the best directors of all time.
1 The Debate Was Even Publicly Addressed
It was not only fans and audiences that became aware of and began debating the situation regarding Don’t Worry Darling and Hollywood misogyny. During Wilde’s appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the show’s host himself addressed the controversy in front of Wilde who agreed with his claims.
Colbert stated, “We’re coming up on the 100th anniversary of the Hollywood sign. It’s a hundred years mostly male directors for that 100 years. Hollywood, for lack of a better word, is essentially a box of broken toys, we all have our problems,” Before adding, “But proverbially male directors are absolute monsters. And even if every rumor of your movie were true, it would be pretty light fare compared to Alfred Hitchcock or any of the great directors out there that we admire so much.”
