We’ve all heard of horror stories when it comes to how actors and actresses behave behind the scenes of our favorite movies. And, more often than not, we usually hear about them after the film is done filming and their name is plastered on the poster, implying that filmmakers, crew members, and fellow castmates had to tolerate that kind of behavior. Well, Olivia Wilde, director of the upcoming film Don’t Worry Darling, is having none of that.
Wilde has a strict rule: no assholes are allowed on set.
According to a report from Variety, this is the rule that led to the firing of Shia LaBeouf from Don’t Worry Darling despite studio sources only citing a scheduling conflict.
Multiple insiders who worked on the project said that LaBeouf clashed with the cast and crew – including Wilde – not just because of stylistic differences but also because of the poor behavior he displayed. One of the sources added that he was “not an easy guy to work with” which didn’t fly with Wilde and her “zero asshole policy.”
The filmmaker recently expounded on this policy in Variety’s Directors on Directors series. Emerald Fennel, who directed Promising Young Woman mentioned, “I read that you have no assholes policy.”
Wilde confirmed it by explaining some of her thoughts behind that rule. “The no assholes policy; it puts everybody on the same level. I also noticed as an actress for years how the hierarchy of the set separated the actors from the crew in this very strange way that serves no one.” She adds, “The idea of, don’t bother the actors and keep them separate, and don’t look at them. I think it makes everyone quite anxious.
While Wilde is fairly new to directing, she isn’t scared to make this a hard and fast rule because of her resolution to avoid making the set a hostile environment, despite getting opposite advice from an established Hollywood filmmaker. “They said, ‘Listen, the way to get respect on a set, you have to have three arguments a day. Three big arguments that reinstate your power, remind everyone who’s in charge, be the predator.’ That is the opposite of my process. And I want none of that.”
When FKA Twigs first came forward about LaBeouf being extremely abusive during their relationship, Wilde was also one of the many people who expressed her support for her on social media.
After LaBeouf’s firing, his role went to Harry Styles. Styles will be joining Florence Pugh as the lead actors in the film. Other cast members include Chris Pine, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, and Wilde herself.
