CNN
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One of the films that will debut at the Venice Film Festival on Monday is already making waves. Less for the film, perhaps, than the headlines involving the people attached to the project.
“Don’t Worry Darling” is directed by Olivia Wilde and stars Florence Pugh, Gemma Chan, Chris Pine and Harry Styles.
There was already buzz for the film given its A-list cast, intriguing psychological thriller trailer, and the fact that Wilde and Styles would be dating. (The two have not publicly commented on their personal relationship.)
Interest in the film has reached new heights after a recent Variety interview with Wilde in which she discussed the meaning of legal documents at a CinemaCon event for “Don’t Worry Darling” and challenged speculation about the film. wage inequality on the film.
“There’s been a lot of things that I don’t pay attention to,” Wilde told Variety. “But the absurdity of an invented clickbait and the ensuing backlash over a non-existent pay disparity between our lead and supporting cast really upset me. I’m a woman who’s been in this business for over 20 years, and it’s something that I fought for myself and for others, especially as a director.There is absolutely no validity to these claims.
Pugh, the film’s lead actor, said she would like the film to be covered beyond the intimate scenes she shares with Styles.
“When it comes down to your sex scenes, or watching the most famous man in the world go down on someone, that’s not what we’re doing it for. That’s not the reason for which I am in this industry,” Pugh told Harper’s Bazaar. “Obviously the nature of hiring the most famous pop star in the world, you’re going to have conversations like that. That’s just not what I’m gonna discuss because [this movie is] bigger and better than that. And the people who did it are bigger and better than that.
Pugh will walk the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival but will not attend the film’s press conference earlier Monday due to a scheduling conflict with another project she is filming, according to a Deadline report.
CNN has reached out to representatives for Pugh and the festival for comment. CNN has also reached out to New Line Cinema, the studio behind “Don’t Worry Darling,” for comment. (New Line Cinema and CNN are both part of Warner Bros. Discovery.)
Then there were additional headlines about actor Shia LaBeouf’s former attachment to the project.
The actor was originally cast in the role which ultimately went to Styles. Wilde told Variety that although she was “such an admirer of his work,” “LaBeof’s process was not conducive to the ethics that I demand in my productions.”
“He has a process that in some ways seems to require combative energy, and I personally don’t think that’s conducive to the best performance. I believe creating a safe and trusting environment is the best way to to get people to do their best,” she said. “Ultimately, my responsibility is to the production and the cast to protect them. It was my job.
LaBouf disputed the suggestion that he was fired from production in a later story for Variety, stating that he “left the film due to lack of rehearsal time” and providing the publication with an alleged communication between him and Wilde in which his exit from the film was discussed.
CNN has reached out to reps for LaBeouf, Wilde and Styles for comment.
“Don’t Worry Darling” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, which is owned by CNN’s parent company. The film premieres Monday night in Venice and will debut in theaters on September 23.