Don't Worry Darling Drama: Olivia Wilde Unleashes on Florence Pugh 'Screaming Match' Rumors!

Olivia Wilde has publicly addressed the persistent rumors surrounding the production of her 2022 psychological thriller, “Don’t Worry Darling,” specifically denying claims of a “screaming match” on set and that she was ever unavailable during filming. The movie, starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles, was plagued by tabloid speculation regarding an alleged feud between Pugh and Wilde, as well as the burgeoning romance between Wilde and Styles that reportedly began during the shoot.

Reports, including one from Vulture just before the film’s September 2022 theatrical release, detailed a supposed “blowout argument” between Pugh and Wilde approximately three-quarters of the way through production. These reports suggested that Pugh had grown exasperated with Wilde’s frequent unexplained absences, attributing them to Wilde and Styles’ developing relationship. It was even claimed that Pugh contacted New Line Cinema’s then-chairman, Toby Emmerich, to ensure she would not be compelled to participate in the film’s promotional cycle.

In a recent interview with The Cut, Wilde vehemently refuted these accusations, stating, “I’ve never had a screaming match on my set. I was never not available on set. I wanted to be like, ‘None of this is true.’” She further explained that she was instructed by the studio and others involved to remain silent on the alleged drama. “I was told, ‘Don’t say a fucking word. Just go out there and smile.’ I resent that, but it taught me it’s not the way I want to handle things,” Wilde revealed.

Reflecting on this tumultuous period, Wilde recalled advice from Jennifer Garner given over a decade ago, likening the experience to being cast in a public “soap opera” where an archetype is assigned. Wilde felt she was cast as the “full-on villain, like Cruella.” This sentiment echoed her previous statements on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, where she expressed regret for her silence during the film’s press fiasco. She felt profoundly disconnected from the person depicted in the media, describing the widespread fiction as fact and expressing a desire to correct the record, only to be advised against it. Wilde felt frustrated that she couldn't defend herself, particularly as she believed she was working on behalf of hundreds of people involved in the movie, and feared her attempts to rise above it might have seemed inauthentic.

Despite the rampant rumors of unprofessionalism, Olivia Wilde received staunch support from her crew members. Following Vulture’s report, a group of 40 crew members issued a joint statement. This statement, signed by key figures including producer Katie Silberman, cinematographer Matthew Libatique, and costume designer Arianne Phillips, unequivocally denied that any screaming match or unprofessional incident occurred. The crew praised Wilde as “an incredible leader and director who was present and involved with every aspect of production,” emphasizing that “allegations about unprofessional behavior on the set of ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ are completely false.” The statement concluded, “We are happy to put our names on this, as real people who worked on the film, and who have witnessed and benefitted from the collaborative and safe space Olivia creates as a director and leader.”