Emma Stone landed her Crazy, Stupid, Love role by keeping her composure during her audition, according to E! News. Directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa said Stone stood out because she was not rattled by Ryan Gosling’s presence.
Ficarra told People in an interview published July 29 that Gosling flubbed a line while reading with Stone, and she quickly encouraged him without missing a beat. The directors said that instant ease convinced them she was the right choice for the part.
Ficarra added that many actresses were strong in auditions, but several became nervous once Gosling entered the room. Stone, who was in her early 20s at the time, had an easy rapport with him that the filmmakers wanted for the movie’s central romance.
Requa also pointed to the pair’s improv work as a highlight, including the bed montage scene where their characters fall in love. The interview was part of a larger look at memorable Hollywood audition stories as Crazy, Stupid, Love celebrates its 20th anniversary.
