Renowned actress Emma Stone, previously expressed her genuine enthusiasm for her role in The Favourite, highlighting her relief at focusing solely on acting. The Oscar-winning actress elaborated on her past experiences, where she not only had to perform but also actively collaborate to enhance her starring roles over the years.
The Favourite, a film depicting the rivalry between two cousins vying for Queen Anne’s favor in the early 18th century, had been a seven-year collaborative project between director Yorgos Lanthimos and screenwriter Tony McNamara. Emma Stone, who portrays one of the cousins alongside Rachel Weisz, received the script in 2015 and could discern the meticulous effort invested in it from the very first reading.
Emma Stone Begged For An Audition For The Role
During a session of Variety’s Actors on Actors, Timothée Chalamet inquired about the story behind Emma Stone securing the highly sought-after role in Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite. Emma Stone discussed her experience with the director Yorgos Lanthimos, explaining how her agent introduced her to him and suggested she read the script. Despite initial doubts about being considered for the role, she auditioned.
Emma Stone told Timothée Chalamet:
“My agent had met him, told me about him, asked if I could read the script. He was not thinking on an American, I think at all. I auditioned for it… I watched his film Dog Tooth and I was like this person is gonna be crazy. Like I don’t know what it’s gonna be like to sit with him and then we went for lunch and he’s very very lovely. And all of his madness is in his art.”
In The Favourite, Emma Stone portrays Abigail Masham, a newcomer to Queen Anne’s 18th-century court. Abigail’s rapid rise in favor leads to a rivalry with Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz), another trusted advisor to the Queen (Olivia Colman). Interestingly, during Stone’s audition, she was asked to simulate labor pains, a peculiar request given that Abigail never experiences pregnancy or heavy panting in the film.
Producer Had A Meltdown Watching Emma Stone’s Chemistry With Co-star
Nearly a decade after Tobey Maguire’s successful run as Spider-Man, the creators sought to rejuvenate the Web-Head’s story. They ultimately chose Andrew Garfield to take on the role of Peter Parker and cast Emma Stone as his romantic interest, Gwen Stacy, in The Amazing Spider-Man.
Avi Arad said (via The Guardian):
“The chemistry between those two is like old Hollywood, Hepburn and Tracy.”
While Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man engaged in an exhilarating battle against a enigmatic reptilian adversary, portrayed by Rhys Ifans, both fans and critics couldn’t stop praising the on-screen chemistry between Peter and Gwen. The film also achieved tremendous financial success, amassing a staggering $758 million in box office revenue.
The Favorite is available for rent or purchase on Google Play.