Olivia Wilde 's Don't Worry Darling will have its world premiere next week at the Venice Film Festival, though the event risks being overshadowed by a series of controversies surrounding the movie.
The psychological thriller has been hotly anticipated and it marks Harry Styles' return to acting following his supporting appearance in Dunkirk. He will star alongside in-demand actress Florence Pugh who takes on the role of repressed housewife Alice.
It seems like the recipe for a hit, but cracks have begun to appear behind-the-scenes as the film's debut nears.
28-year-old Harry actually joined the cast at the last minute, replacing Shia LaBeouf.
The Transformers star, 36, claims to have quit the film due to scheduling issues, but 38-year-old Olivia said she sacked him to "protect" her cast.
Speaking to Variety, Olivia said: "His process was not conducive to the ethos that I demand in my productions.
"He has a process that, in some ways, seems to require a combative energy, and I don’t personally believe that is conducive to the best performances.
"I believe that creating a safe, trusting 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."
However, a leaked video has now emerged online of Olivia begging Shia to help her "figure this out" as Shia hit back at her claims he was fired from the movie.
He wrote in an open letter: "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."
Meanwhile, the leaked clip was sent to Variety and shows Olivia addressing him while driving her car.
She said: "I feel like I’m not ready to give up on this yet, and I, too, am heartbroken and I want to figure this out.
"You know, 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.
"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?"
The video also fuelled rumours of a feud between the director and British actress Florence - with Pugh pulling out of promotional interviews for the film recently.
In interviews, the two voice different opinions on the sex scenes within Don't Worry Darling.
Olivia has described the on-screen passion between Harry and Florence as akin to Fatal Attraction, where the woman has all the pleasure.
Speaking to Variety, she said: "The impractical nature of their sex speaks to their ferocious desire for one another. I think it’s integral to the story itself and how the audience is meant to connect to them."
However, Florence has said she doesn't want her performance "reduced" to her sex scenes.
In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, Florence said: "When it’s reduced to your sex scenes, or to watch the most famous man in the world go down on someone, it’s not why we do it. It’s not why I’m in this industry."
She added: "That’s just not what I’m going to be discussing because [this movie is] bigger and better than that. And the people who made it are bigger and better than that."
The pair also reportedly clashed after Harry and Olivia grew close on set.
The couple later went public with their relationship as they held hands at a friend's wedding in January 2021.
A source told the New York Post that Florence didn’t consider it to be very professional.
"I can tell you for a fact that Flo seeing Olivia and Harry all over each other on set did not go down well," the insider told the publication.
According to The Sun, Florence is now refusing any interviews for the movie ahead of its premiere.
"Florence is disappointed with this narrative and she doesn’t want to be dragged into the squabbles between other talent," said a source
"The movie is getting everyone talking for all the wrong reasons and she doesn’t want to fuel that anymore by dealing with awkward questions."
The Mirror has contacted representatives of Olivia, Florence and Shia for comment.
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