Haley Lu Richardson turned down “Midsommar” because of the “disturbing” script

Haley Lu Richardson thinks about the horror movie that got away.

The “White Lotus” Season 2 star revealed that she turned down an audition for Ari Aster’s “Midsommar” because she was already in the “disturbing” “Split,” written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

“Many (roles) got away. But I got the script for ‘Midsommar,'” Richardson said Behind the scenes. “I remember reading it; it was such a well written creepy script. I actually still haven’t seen the movie because I just can’t bring myself to watch it.”

He continued: “They wanted to meet me. I think I did ‘Split’ a year or two before (in 2016). And I said, “Now I don’t want to make another disturbing film. I just don’t have it in me, I walk around and cry over these disturbing things. I didn’t want that, and I felt very strongly about it. So I didn’t even attend the meeting.”

Richardson added: “And you know, it’s a very iconic film, isn’t it? But I think everything happens as it should happen. There was a reason I didn’t have it. And Florence Pugh is such a good actor.”

“Midsommar” breakout actress Pugh recently admitted that she “abused” herself during the intense production. Pugh played Dani in the 2019 thriller, a psychology student whose toxic relationship unravels while visiting a cult community in Sweden.

“When I did it, I was so blown away by it, and I’ve never experienced that with any of my characters,” Pugh said on the “Off Menu” podcast. “I’ve never played someone who’s been in so much pain, and I’ve put myself in shitty situations that maybe other actors don’t have to do, but I’d only imagine the worst.”

Pugh recalled, “Every day the content gets weirder and harder to do. I put things in my head that were getting worse and bleaker. I think by the end I probably abused myself to get that performance.”

Register: Stay up to date with the latest movie and TV news! Subscribe to our email newsletter here.