Emma Stone has declared that she believes in the existence of aliens, citing astronomer Carl Sagan's view that it is 'narcissistic' to think otherwise. The Oscar-winning actor made the confession during a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, where she is promoting her new film Bugonia.
In Bugonia, Stone plays a chief executive kidnapped by conspiracy theorists who believe she is an alien. Asked about her views on extraterrestrial life, she said: 'I don't know about looking down on us, but one of my favourite people who has ever lived is Carl Sagan... He very deeply believed [that] the idea that 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 black comedy, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, premieres in competition on Thursday. It is Lanthimos's third film in three years, all starring Stone. His previous film Poor Things won the Golden Lion at Venice two years ago and four Oscars, including best actress for Stone.
Bugonia also stars Jesse Plemons as a conspiracist beekeeper and Aidan Delbis as his partner. The script, by The Menu co-writer Will Tracy, is an English-language remake of the 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet! Stone described the film as 'reflective of this point in time' and 'really fascinating and moving, funny and fucked up, and alive'.
Lanthimos said he was 'immediately blown away' by the script, adding: 'Humanity is facing a reckoning very soon, people need to choose the right path... with technology, with AI, with wars, and the denial of all these things.'
