‘Alice in Wonderland’: The Tim Burton movie Emma Stone was crushed to not land
Much like many people in Hollywood, Emma Stone’s journey into the industry began at a young age, with the actor moving to Los Angeles at the age of 15 and joining the tumultuous process of endless auditions and casting calls. It’s a rite of passage that is familiar to many people in the business of entertainment, with anxiety-inducing months as you wait for callbacks and hope to meet someone in the crowd who will conveniently notice your dazzling talent and change your life for the better.
While she is now one of the most highly sought-after actors of her generation, the path to stardom was not always smooth, with Stone describing her early rejections and one missed opportunity that crushed her.
Despite being known for her work on strange independent films like Birdman and frequent collaborations with Yorgos Lanthimos, Stone began her career with hit studio films like Superbad, Crazy Stupid Love and Easy A, becoming known for her comedic flair and witty disposition. However, in recent years, she expanded on this image by starring in the likes of La La Land, The Favourite and Poor Things, showing the depths and versatility of her talent, making demanding roles look effortless and fluid.
However, while she is now one of the most successful actors working today, with audiences anxiously awaiting each freaky instalment that her and Lanthimos cook up together in addition to his strange universe, she was not always considered a top choice for these types of roles, with the actor sharing her disappointment at not getting the part of Alice in Tim Burton’s famed adaptation of Alice in Wonderland in 2010.
The idea of Burton putting his own spin on the classic dream-like fairytale seemed like a match made in heaven, and the project became one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. The gothic director merged his signature style with the nightmarish elements of the original story by Lewis Carroll, creating a dark and modern twist to a story that naturally opens itself up to endless possibilities.
Mia Wasikowska was cast in the lead role, with supporting roles played by Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Anna Hathaway. However, Emma Stone was originally up for one of the roles in the film, presumably trying out for the part of Alice. But alas, fate was not on her side this time, and she didn’t book the role. When describing this, Stone said, “Tim Burton’s a crusher. Oh, my God, when I auditioned for Alice in Wonderland, and not getting a Tim Burton movie is really devastating.” However, she conceded, “This is a pretty esoteric conversation; working at all is fantastic—you’re exactly right”.
While she is right that it is a fairly niche complaint to have, you can understand why this would be a blow given the scope and buzz around the project at the time. Despite not being given the chance to work with Burton, Stone ended up starring in Easy A that same year, which was perhaps her most important early role that launched the rest of her career.
