Olivia Wilde has hit back at reports of a feud with her “sensational” Don’t Worry Darling leading lady Florence Pugh.
The 38-year-old director addressed the couple’s widespread feud on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday, insisting she has “nothing but respect” for Florence, 26, despite being plagued by claims to the contrary.
Olivia gushed about Florence’s performance in the controversial film and suggested being questioned about the feud was sexist because her “male fellow directors” don’t respond.
The actress also doubled down on claims she fired former leading actor Shia LaBeouf, 36, and insisted he gave her an “ultimatum” to choose between him and Florence: “I chose Florence.”
Film director: Olivia Wilde quashed rumors of a feud with Florence Pugh when she addressed the Don’t Worry Darling drama on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday
‘People say you’re fighting with Florence Pugh. Do you have anything to say about that?” Stephen asked her bluntly.
Olivia attributed it to “another weird rumor” surrounding the film, along with “Spitgate,” which involved her boyfriend Harry Styles, 28, and Chris Pine, 42.
Stephen referred to his notes, which included the question, “Did Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine? Why or why not? Support your answer.’
A laughing Olivia said: “He hasn’t, but I think it’s a perfect example of people going to seek drama wherever they can.”
She definitely added, “Harry actually didn’t spit at Chris,” while Stephen joked, “Only time will tell.”
Lead actress: The 38-year-old director, dressed casually smart in a white T-shirt and loose black pants, was asked by Stephen, 58, about her relationship with her leading lady Florence, who stars in a scene from Don’t Worry Darling
‘No, he really hasn’t!’ Said Olivia, laughing.
She said the video was an example of people seeing what they want to see and described it as “clickbait”.
“So no tension between you and Florence Pugh?” Stephen continued.
Rumors numerous: Stephen referenced his notes, including the question: ‘Did Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine? Why or why not? Support your answer’
“I have nothing but respect for Florence’s talent. She is fantastic. She is currently on the set of her film Dune. There’s nothing cooler than a busy actress. I have nothing against her for any reason,’ said Olivia.
“People pointed out that she had an Aperol Spritz during the press conference and didn’t show up for it,” Stephen said, citing Florence, who skipped a press event earlier this month during the Venice International Film Festival.
“You pointed it out,” Olivia agreed.
“I think what’s funny is that I don’t feel like my fellow male directors are answering questions about their casting,” Olivia said to applause from the studio audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City.
Double standards: “I think what’s funny is that I don’t feel like my fellow male directors answer questions about their casting,” Olivia said to applause from the studio audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City
Stephen agreed with her.
“These are not questions you ask a director. You should talk about the movie yourself,” he said, admitting that he whetted the appetite by asking her about the rumours.
Olivia previously gushed about Florence’s performance in the film.
High praise: Olivia previously gushed about Florence’s performance in the film
“She is sensational in this film. And it’s about being brave enough to listen to the brave people who have come before her who have ignored everyone else and to trust their instincts,” Olivia said.
“And she’s the one brave enough to dismantle the system. She’s a superhero. And Florence Pugh is just as good at the dramatic work as she is at the action. There are real action sequences in the film. She has a run that I refer to as her “Tom Cruise run.” It’s the most impressive run I’ve ever seen,” she added.
Olivia also cleared the air about her former Don’t Worry Darling co-star Shia LaBeouf, 36, who she claimed was fired from the film, though the actor claims he quit.
Total transparency: Olivia also cleared the air about her former Don’t Worry Darling co-star Shia LaBeouf, 36, who she claimed was fired from the film, despite the actor claiming he quit
When asked if she fired Shia, Olivia said, “We had to replace Shia. He’s a fantastic actor, but it wouldn’t work. When he gave me the ultimatum from him or Florence, I chose Florence.”
She added: “He felt like he was going to step down and I felt like we were going to move on without him.”
When Stephen asked if he left in such a way that he could have thought he had quit and she could have thought he had been fired and they were both right, Olivia replied: “It’s a question of semantics. It wasn’t going to go the way he wanted, so he had to go.’
Hollywood semantics: When Stephen asked if he left in such a way that he could think he’d quit and she could think he’d been fired and they were both right, Olivia replied: ‘It’s a question of semantics. Things weren’t going to go the way he wanted, so he had to go.
Olivia also revealed that her five-year-old daughter, Daisy, plays her daughter in the film.
She also has eight-year-old son Otis with former fiancé Jason Sudeikis, 47.
Don’t Worry Darling is slated for a release in US theaters on Friday.
Coming soon: Don’t Worry Darling is scheduled for release in US cinemas on Friday