EXCITEMENT RISES AS ‘DON'T WORRY DARLING' ARRIVES IN VENICE

The Venice Film Festival is buzzing with anticipation for Olivia Wilde’s “Don’t Worry Darling,” which is having its world premiere Monday night on the Lido.

By 8 a.m. Monday, dozens of Harry Styles fans were camping out in front of the theater where the premiere would be held that evening and excitement was high for the arrival of the pop star whose otherworldly fame and following may make the Timothée Chalamet mania seen on Friday seem downright quaint.

Many eyes were also turned to the film’s press conference, with hopes that reports about behind-the-scenes tension with star Florence Pugh would be addressed or clarified. Wilde, before the premiere, said she didn’t want to contribute to “the endless tabloid gossip” and “the noise.”

“The internet feeds itself,” Wilde said. “I don’t need to contribute, I think it’s significantly well-nourished.”

Pugh is in the middle of production on “Dune 2,” a massive blockbuster (also a Warner Bros. joint) and is expected to go straight back after her Venice obligations. Though the star of the film, she did not attend the press conference as her flight had not yet landed.

“Florence is a force and we are so grateful that she is able to make it tonight,” Wilde said. “I know as a director how disruptive it is to lose an actor even for a day,”