While audiences continue to debate what happened, Chris Pine has responded to the Harry Styles spitting rumors from the Don't Worry Darling premiere. The two star in the upcoming psychological thriller alongside Florence Pugh, director Olivia Wilde, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne and Nick Kroll. Don't Worry Darling is set in a seemingly idyllic 1950s California company town, with Pugh's Alice Chambers uncovering a dark secret behind the neighborhood that leads to her unraveling.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
Don't Worry Darling has been mired in controversy over the past few months, with rumors of Wilde splitting with her ex-husband, Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, during production in favor of dating star Harry Styles. Other rumors have swirled of Wilde and Pugh having on-set conflicts, some of which have reportedly stemmed from the former's relationship with Styles while others claim that Pugh had to take over directing much of the film. While audiences remain in the dark on the rumors surrounding the film, one seeming conflict between Don't Worry Darling appears to not be as bad as believed.
On the heels of the moment going viral from the Venice Film Festival, Chris Pine's representatives have responded (via People) to the rumors that Harry Styles spit on the actor. A video of the Don't Worry Darling star seemingly spitting on his co-star is being described as a "complete fabrication," with Pine's representing assuring respect between the two. See the response below:
This is a ridiculous story — a complete fabrication and the result of an odd online illusion that is clearly deceiving and allows for foolish speculation. Just to be clear, Harry Styles did not spit on Chris Pine. There is nothing but respect between these two men and any suggestion otherwise is a blatant attempt to create drama that simply does not exist.
The viral video of Harry Styles seemingly spitting on Chris Pine at Don't Worry Darling's Venice Film Festival sent fans spiraling online as they found themselves shocked to see the former One Direction member disrespecting his more experienced movie costar. It also came after images began to circulate of Pine from the festival, in which he appeared to be zoning out during many of his interviews, including one with Styles in which the young actor talked in circles. While Pine's representative could be looking to keep the peace in the public eye, many were already arguing the video of Styles seemingly spitting on Pine didn't show anything leaving his mouth, making it very well possible it was simply a misunderstanding from fans.
While Pine's representatives have shut down the Harry Styles spit rumors from the Don't Worry Darling premiere, the film has yet to escape a negative spotlight from the public. Early reviews have been primarily negative, currently only sitting at a 39 percent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, who have praised Pugh's leading performance, but found the rest of the psychological thriller largely lacking. It will be interesting to see if audiences agree with the early reviews when Don't Worry Darling hits theaters on September 23.