When it comes to choosing which directors she works with Emma Stone, 35, definitely plays favourites. This month, she’s starring in her fifth film from director Yorgos Lanthimos, the king of absurdist dark comedy.
It’s called Kinds Of Kindness, and she stars alongside Joe Alwyn, Willem Dafoe and Margaret Qualley.
What is it about Yorgos that appeals to you?
The biggest feeling I have with Yorgos is extreme comfort, I feel like I can do anything with him. We have worked together so many times.
I trust him beyond any trust I have ever had with a director. And I have been lucky to work with great directors. We just have something that I can’t explain and I am so grateful for.
How did this special relationship start?
I first met Yorgos about 10 years ago. We had lunch to talk about the idea of doing The Favourite. It was a couple of years before we made the film.
I was just struck immediately by how warm and easy to talk to he is and how very different his films are. We had such a great time working together on The Favourite and I still find that I am drawn to his stories.
How much rehearsal time did you need to do that crazy dance scene in Kinds Of Kindness?
That was crazy but for that, not so much rehearsal. That was more improv. That was all me going nuts in the New Orleans heat (laughs).
How hard is it to say goodbye to your characters at the end of a project and are there any you would like to revisit?
Bella [in Yorgos’ 2023 film Poor Things]. I don’t think I should revisit her but that is the only character that I was devastated to let go of.
You are a producer as well as an actor. How do you enjoy that extra role?
I love it. It’s amazing to have the opportunity to be a little bit more than a cog in a machine. As an actor, you are auditioning, you hope to get cast in a part and then you want to just do all that you can to live up to that part.
But with producing, getting to weigh in on so many different aspects and help put it all together is extremely fulfilling.
You moved to LA when you were just 15 to become an actor and now here you are as a two-time Oscar winner. Is this everything you dreamed of?
Oh, it’s way beyond anything I could ever dream of. I feel so unbelievably grateful. When I came to LA all I really wanted to be was on a sitcom (laughs).
I can’t believe that I get to make films like this and that I get to work with people that I admire, adore and trust. I have been so lucky to play roles that are so far beyond anything I could have imagined. It’s nuts. But I still am open for sitcoms!
