There is no way to know how a movie will be appreciated. It’s possible for anything to go wrong, even with famous people working on it. This means that an actor’s professional path isn’t simply determined by the jobs they accept but also by the ones they decline.
For instance, Emma Stone turned down a role in Sucker Punch, a high-budget action picture directed by Zack Snyder that aimed to combine multiple genres. That one choice ended up being crucial because it kept her from being involved in a project that was a huge failure despite its lofty goals and earned the ire of renowned director Quentin Tarantino.
Emma Stone’s Brush With Sucker Punch
Zack Snyder, a renowned filmmaker with a distinct and beautiful visual style, conceived and directed the 2011 film Sucker Punch. The film, which combined action and fantasy elements, had complex dream sequences, layered realities, and well-choreographed battle scenes.
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The $90 million budgeted film was supposed to be Snyder’s breakthrough, but instead, it was met with mediocre reviews and a disappointing box office performance. Quentin Tarantino dealt the film perhaps the worst reputational blow.
The famed director, known for his unflinching criticism and eccentric taste in film, publicly declared Sucker Punch the worst film he had ever seen. This public criticism from such a prominent figure in the film industry only added gasoline to the fire of the already raging controversy around the picture.
During the pre-production flurry, Zack Snyder offered Emma Stone, a rising star because of her memorable turns in comedies like Superbad and The House Bunny, the role of Amber. Stone and other well-known actresses like Abbie Cornish and Vanessa Hudgens were being pursued for the role.
Snyder could not take the position due to scheduling conflicts, which worked well for Stone. Ultimately, Jamie Chung was chosen to play Amber, and while she delivered a solid performance, the film’s failure threw a pall over everyone involved.
A Stroke of Luck Saved Emma Stone’s Career
Stone’s career was irrevocably altered when he turned down a role in the film Sucker Punch. She avoided being linked to one of Zack Snyder’s flops thanks to this decision, which was not based on any knowledge of the film’s impending failure.
Despite the failure of Sucker Punch, Stone’s career skyrocketed as she was cast in subsequent hit films, including The Amazing Spider-Man as Gwen Stacy and La La Land as Mia Dolan, for which she received an Oscar for Best Actress.
The roles an actor takes and turns down are crucial to their success in Hollywood. A single film can make or break An actor’s career, especially in the early stages. Stone’s rejection of Sucker Punch is a powerful illustration of this fact.
The actress’ prioritization of other obligations proved fortuitous, even though she could not predict how the picture would be regarded in the long run. Stone’s career flourished, while Snyder’s Sucker Punch is still a divisive film.
Source: Looper
