Three years after making his big screen acting debut in Dunkirk, Harry Styles has now climbed aboard onto Olivia Wilde’s psychological thriller, “Don’t Worry, Darling.” The 26 year old singer will be joining an A-list ensemble that includes Florence Pugh (Little Women), Chris Pine (Star Trek) and Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades). As well as Wilde herself in a supporting role.
Back in April when the movie was initially announced, Wilde tweeted out her excitement saying, “This cast is B A N A N A S. I’m the happiest director in the world. To say that I’m honored/excited/elated/s—– myself would be a massive understatement,” wrote the actress.
Replacing Shia LaBeouf
Styles, who enjoyed a successful solo career after One Direction’s disbanding, made his acting debut in Christopher Nolan’s hit 2017 thriller Dunkirk. Where he earned praise for his performance as a British Soldier.
Harry also seems to have replaced Shia LaBeouf, who had previously been attached to the project but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. According to sources, Harry’s impressive performance during an initial meeting, urged Wilde and Florence to sign him on.
“Don’t Worry, Darling” is Olivia’s latest directing venture. New Line bought it in August, 2019, after 18 bids were submitted for the project. The deal came on the heels of Wilde’s acclaimed directorial debut “Booksmart.” A coming-of-age comedy about two best friends who cut loose on their last day of high school. Wilde went on to win the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature for “Booksmart.” Olivia is also slated to be the head of a new Marvel film for Sony. And will also direct and executive produce the Searchlight feature “Perfect.”
Setting
Don’t Worry Darling, Directed and Produced by Wilde, is set in the 1950s in an isolated, Utopian community in the California desert. Set in the 1950s, the New Line movie will star Florence Pugh as an unhappy housewife who slowly begins to question her own sanity when she starts to notice strange occurrences. Styles is set to play Pugh’s picture-perfect husband, who loves his wife dearly, but is also hiding a dark secret from her.
Chris Pine is roped in to play the leader of a mysterious worksite where all the men are employed just outside of town. Meanwhile, Dakota Johnson will play Pugh’s neighbor, who begins to exhibit strange, paranoid behavior. She also tries to warn Pugh’s character that everything in their community is not what it seems. According to reports, Wilde will also play a key supporting role.
The Dream Team
New Line acquired the film in a competitive situation with 17 other bidders and production is now aiming to start filming this fall.
Katie Silberman, who also worked with Wilde on her directorial debut Booksmart, wrote the screenplay based on a spec script by Shane and Carey Van Dyke. Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee and Miri Yoon will produce. Alongside Wilde and Silberman. Catherine Hardwicke will executive produce alongside Shane and Carey Van Dyke.
New Line won “Don’t Worry Darling” in a competitive situation, which saw up to studios and streamers vying for the project. The project is being watched overseas by studio execs Richard Brener, Daria Cercek and Celia Khong. According to reports the movie will tentatively start filming in the fall amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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