Reports of a “screaming match” between Olivia Wilde and Florence Pugh on the set of “Don’t Worry Darling” are “absurd gossip,” according to a Sunday statement signed by 40 crew members.
“As a crew, we’ve avoided addressing the absurd gossip surrounding the movie we’re so proud of, but feel the need to correct the anonymous ‘sources’ quoted in a recent article,” reads the statement obtained by TheWrap. “There was never a screaming match between our director and anyone, let alone a member of our cast.”
The statement follows a Friday report from Vulture in which an anonymous source recalled a “screaming match” between Wilde and Pugh. The report said then-studio head Toby Emmerich had to intervene and moderate a “long negotiation process” to ensure that Pugh would participate in the movie’s press promotion and “not jeopardize the potential box office.”
Warner Bros. Pictures co-chairs and CEOs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy denied the allegation in a statement Friday, saying “Any suggestion of conflict between the studio and Olivia is simply not true,” adding that the studio “look[s] forward to collaborating with her again.”
The statement goes on to say that “any allegations about unprofessional behavior on the set of Don’t Worry Darling are completely false,” adding that “Olivia is an incredible leader and director who was present with and involved in every aspect of production. She ran this set with class and respect for everyone involved.”
The statement is signed by co-writer and producer Katie Silberman, executive producer Alex G. Scott, art director Erika Toth, director of photography Matthew Libatique as well as additional below-the-line crew members.
Representatives for the crew of “Don’t Worry Darling” did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
“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,” the letter continued. “We’re also thrilled that the movie is in theaters this weekend. We can’t wait for you to see it on the big screen.”
Below is the full list of crew members who signed the statement:
Chris Baugh, location manager
Josh Bramer, property master
Katie Byron, production designer
Matthew Libatique, director of photography
Steve Morrow, sound mixer
Arianne Phillips, costume designer
Alex G. Scott, executive producer
Katie Silberman, writer/producer
Heba Thorisdottir, makeup department head
Eliana Alcouloumre, production assistant
Mary Florence Brown, art director
Monica Chamberlain, assistant costume designer
Conrad Curtis, second second assistant director
Raphael Di Febo, assistant property master
Rachael Ferrara, set decorator
Jake Ferrero, lighting technician
Jeff Ferrero, gaffer
Zach Gulla, set dresser
Yani Gutierrez, production assistant
David Hecht, assistant property master
Becca Holstein, director’s assistant
Nic Jones, programmer
Michael Kaleta, boom operator
Gerardo Lara, electrician
JB Leconte, rig programme
Lexi Lee, set dresser
John Mang, dolly grip
Mark Mann, best boy
Gideon Markham, lighting console programmer
Alex Mazekian, graphic artist
Melissa McSorley, food stylist
Bryan Mendoza, sound utility
Luis Moreno, rigging gaffer
Noelle Pinola, set dresser
Scott Sakamoto, A camera operator
Chris Scharffenberg, set dresser
Grace Shaw, production assistant
Alexander Szuch, electrician
Erika Toth, art director
Tricia Yoo, set costumer