Olivia Wilde responds to rumours around stars' pay for Don't Worry Darling

Olivia Wilde has responded to rumours about a gender pay gap in her upcoming film Don't Worry Darling.

A previous article by Showbiz Galore suggested that female lead Florence Pugh would be taking home $700,000 for her role, while male lead Harry Styles would get $2.5 million.

However, Wilde has since debunked these claims in a new interview with Variety, describing them as 'invented clickbait'.

In an email written to the publication, she said: "There has been a lot out there that I largely don’t pay attention to.

"But the absurdity of invented clickbait and subsequent reaction regarding a nonexistent pay disparity between our lead and supporting actors really upset me.

"I’m a woman who has been in this business for over 20 years, and it’s something that I have fought for myself and others, especially being a director. There is absolutely no validity to those claims."

This isn't the only rumour that has come to light ahead of the long-awaited 1950s drama's release, as talks this week turned to Shia LaBeouf's involvement – or lack thereof, with Wilde claiming she fired him from production due to concerns over his approach to the craft.

In the same interview, the director said she 'admired' LaBeouf but had concerns over his 'combative' process, which meant that she couldn't guarantee the safety of the rest of the cast.

Tsuni / USA / Alamy Stock Photo

"I say this as someone who is such an admirer of his work," she 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. That was my job."

But LaBeouf – who has found himself on a new path in life amid his journey to sobriety – has since come out and defended himself, saying he was in no way dismissed from the film.

In an email to Variety, the 36-year-old said he actually quit the movie on 17 August 2020 because of a 'lack of rehearsal time'.

Debby Wong/Alamy Stock Photo

He also forwarded two emails he sent to Wilde on 24 and 25 August, after the recent article was published, which read: "I am greatly honoured by your words on my work; thank you, that felt good to read. 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 and I couldn’t find time to rehearse."

The star continued: "I know that you are beginning your press run for DWD and that the news of my firing is attractive clickbait, as I am still persona-non-grata and may remain as such for the rest of my life.

"But, speaking of my daughter, I often think about the news articles she will read when she is literate. And though I owe, and will owe for the rest of my life, I only owe for my actions."

Entertainment Pictures/Alamy Stock Photo

LaBeouf also forwarded screenshots of text messages he sent Wilde back in 2020, explaining why he could no longer play the part of Jack, which was subsequently taken on by Styles.

Variety said it had learned that the text messages were exchanged before the production discovered LaBeouf's acting process, although this is yet to be confirmed.

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