Florence Pugh has said it's "inspiring" to see a woman "push back and say 'no'", which has been interpreted as a 'subtle dig' towards Olivia Wilde amid reports of tension.
The actor, 26, made the comment whilst on the red carpet for the world premiere of the new film Don't Worry Darling at the Venice Film Festival yesterday evening (August 5).
The project - which includes Harry Styles, 28, and Chris Pine, 42, among its cast - has attracted attention in recent weeks over reports of some behind-the-scenes drama.
This has included rumours of a "falling out" between Pugh and director Wilde, 38 - who also has an acting role in the film, which is due to be released in the UK later this month.
And whilst promoting the project at the Venice Film Festival yesterday, Pugh made a remark on the red carpet that has been interpreted as a "subtle dig" towards Wilde.
The actor said: "I think it's very very inspiring to see a woman push back and say 'no', and question everything. It's very exciting to see a woman do that [on and] off camera."
The remark is understood to have come in response to a journalist at the premiere who had asked Pugh what she found 'inspiring' about Don't Worry Darling.
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The Independent reports that she was then asked for an example of when she says 'no' off camera, to which she joked: "When do I say 'no'? When someone says I can't have cake."
Her remark has been described as "cryptic" and a "subtle dig" by other outlets, particularly amid rumours that there has been tension between Pugh and the film's director Wilde.
Wilde addressed such rumours during a press conference for Don't Worry Darling - which she also co-produced - at the Venice Film Festival ahead of its premiere yesterday.
"As for all the endless tabloid gossip and all the noise out there, I mean, the internet feeds itself. I don't feel the need to contribute. I think it's sufficiently well nourished," she said.
Pugh leads the cast of the psychological thriller as a housewife who begins to suspects that there may be dark secrets within the utopian community where she lives.
The Mirror approached reps for Pugh and Wilde.
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