Oscar-winning actor Emma Stone has revealed that she believes in the existence of aliens, drawing on the ideas of astronomer Carl Sagan as inspiration for her outlook on life beyond Earth.
The revelation came during the Venice Film Festival press conference for her latest movie, Bugonia.
In the black comedy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, Stone plays the role of a powerful corporate CEO who is kidnapped by two conspiracy theorists convinced she is an alien planning to destroy humanity. The film, which premieres in competition on Thursday, naturally led to questions about her own views on extraterrestrial life.
Stone, who has collaborated with Lanthimos on multiple films, said:
“I don’t know about looking down on us, but one of my favorite people who has ever lived is Carl Sagan. I fell madly in love with his philosophy and science. He very deeply believed that the idea we’re alone in this vast, expansive universe is a pretty narcissistic thing. So yes, I’m coming out and saying it: I believe in aliens.”
The project marks Lanthimos’s third feature in three years starring Stone, following Poor Things – which won the Golden Lion at Venice in 2023 and went on to earn Stone her second Academy Award for Best Actress. Bugonia also stars Jesse Plemons as a beekeeper-conspiracist and Aidan Delbis as his partner in crime. The script, penned by Will Tracy (The Menu), is an English-language remake of South Korean director Jang Joon-hwan’s 2003 film Save the Green Planet!.
Stone praised her ongoing collaboration with Lanthimos, describing the film as deeply connected to current global issues:
“I love the material he’s drawn to and the characters he lets me explore. Bugonia feels particularly reflective of our world right now – it’s moving, funny, messed up, and very alive.”
Lanthimos added that while the movie isn’t exactly dystopian, it mirrors the present moment:
“This film says it’s happening now. Humanity is at a reckoning point. With AI, with wars, with technology, and the denial of all these things – if people don’t choose the right path, I don’t know how much time we have left.”
The Venice spotlight was also expected to include George Clooney, who stars in Noah Baumbach’s latest film Jay Kelly, but the actor was absent due to a sinus infection. Baumbach explained Clooney’s role was written specifically for him, calling his performance “emotional and powerful.” The movie also features Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, and Billy Crudup.
With Bugonia, Stone once again steps into bold, unconventional storytelling – and now, she’s boldly confirmed her belief that we are not alone in the universe.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
