New psychological thriller, Don’t Worry Darling, began as Hollywood’s most anticipated films of the year, expected to hypnotize crowds with its starstruck cast, elevated concept, and visionary director. In fact it was Wilde’s directorial debut in 2019, coming-of-age film Booksmart, that had built such unwavering trust and confidence in which no one dared to question Don’t Worry Darling’s success. 

But like the Project in the film, ends slowly unraveled on the film’s publicity trail revealing secrets and twists no one saw coming. These cracks exposed a layer of drama hiding beneath the surface, turning one of the hottest projects in the industry into one of its hottest messes. 

To understand what really was going on behind the scenes, let’s follow the crash that is the Project’s real-life plotline.  

Buckle up for a Wilde Ride.

Pre-Production

It was utopia: a dream come true when Deadline announced Florence Pugh would be lead actress alongside Shia LaBeouf and Chris Pine in Hollywood’s next big thing. 

Pure pre-production bliss lasted for months before being interrupted by a sudden “scheduling conflict” that called for LaBeouf's replacement; said replacement, Harry Styles. 

With an impressive first feature in Dunkirk, Styles landed this role with open arms from executives, cast, and fans. His popularity further boosted the momentum of this high profile project launching them into production. 

Production

As cameras started rolling, so did headlines of former and current cast members’ personal lives. Here are some past highlights: 

Wilde announced her split with fiance, Jason Sudeikis, two of LaBeouf’s former girlfriends filed a lawsuit against him for abuse and battery, it was revealed LaBeouf’s “poor behavior” was the real reason for his departure from the project, and Wilde and Styles made their first appearance as a couple at a wedding. 

As viral photos of the couple broke the internet, the world started to suspect something strange going on behind the scenes. But no one questioned…just yet.

Post Production 

This publicity trail was nothing short of a nightmare. A long-winded series of secrets surfaced putting the film and the director’s credibility in the spotlight. 

The off-screen plotline is undoubtedly messy, so below is a digestible list of all the major “scenes” previously invisible to the public eye. 

• Wilde was served custody papers whilst giving a talk at CinemaCon.

• While cast as lead, Florence Pugh played no part off-screen. She posted one photo on Instagram and instead took the time to promote her other film on the same day Wilde went heavy with DWD promotion.

• Her absence online and during the press tour fueled rumors of a feud between her and Wilde. Despite Wilde’s continual praise, Pugh remained silent. 

• Wilde spoke out on the supposed feud, telling Variety that tabloid media likes to pit women against one another. She then emphasized her belief in protecting cast members by reminding everyone of LaBeouf’s “firing” and how she has a “zero asshole policy”. 

• LaBeouf disputed the “firing” claim, saying he quit due to a lack of rehearsal time. He leaked a video she sent him during casting negotiations. 

• In said video, Wilde “thinks this might be a bit of a wake-up call for “Miss Flo”. What she did not foresee is that this would wake up the feud rumor yet again between her and “Miss Flo”.

• Meanwhile at the Venice Film Festival…

  • Florence Pugh missed the press conference due to her shooting the second Dune film. Styles and Wilde awkwardly avoided each other at all costs.

  • The cast received a 4-minute standing ovation before Pugh rushed to exit the theater.

  • Rumors exploded online after a video convinced fans everywhere that Styles spit on Chris Pine (which both parties denied).

• “Miss Flo” merch was seen being worn by Pugh’s hairstylist.

• Pugh and Pine skipped the NYC premiere, recording a joint video message explaining that they had their own schedule conflicts. 

• Wilde put all the rumors to rest while she was on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, or so she thinks.

• Kiki Layne shared a post via Instagram celebrating the film, but also alleging that a large fraction of her scenes were cut #GotMyCheck.

Distribution

With a spectacle of drama that seemed to play on longer than trailers before a movie, the high profile project finally premiered in theaters this weekend. 

Contrary to its title, Don’t Worry Darling, many had in fact been worried about how the film would do at the box office. Would this kind of publicity drive in or drive away crowds? 

According to Variety, the film earned, “$3.1 million at the domestic box office from previews,” marking a solid debut. 

With the odds stacked high against them, it would seem the PR team ran… or rather sprinted with “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” and won. 

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Review

The film may be a success as originally anticipated, but this entire experience seems like a simulation, fever dream, and roller coaster ride all in one.

This is Olivia Wilde’s Victory Project, and we are just living in it. 

Written by Beth Baumler, Design by Maitri Modi, Photography by Linh Tran, Social Media by Karla Trevino