Jesse Eisenberg Shares Story of Emma Stone’s Hilariously Brutal Audition for ‘Zombieland’

Jesse Eisenberg recently reflected on his first encounter with Emma Stone during her audition for Zombieland, where her unconventional approach left a lasting impression. In a recent interview on SiriusXM’s The Spotlight with Jessica Shaw, Eisenberg shared the memorable story, describing Stone’s audition as both “insulting yet funny.”

Already cast in the film at the time, Eisenberg explained that he had been reading with numerous actresses vying for Stone’s role. “The actors at that point were all amazing actresses, but they were all, like, trying to get into the movie, so they were being really polite and everything,” the 41-year-old actor recalled.

But when Stone entered the room, she brought an entirely different energy. Eisenberg noted that the La La Land actress took a unique approach, deciding to poke fun at him during the audition. “She just started making fun of me in the scene, like just assaulting me with insults,” he recounted. “They were so quick and so funny and cutting. And she left the room, and I just felt so, so small.”

Eisenberg and the casting team were immediately impressed. “We were like, ‘Oh my God. That person is a genius,’” he said, emphasizing Stone’s comedic timing and fearless performance, according to IndieWire.

At just 19 years old at the time, Stone’s audition left Eisenberg with high praise for her talent. “I mean, she’s a truly spectacularly, unusually brilliant person,” he added, highlighting how her quick wit and confidence set her apart from the others.

Stone’s bold audition ultimately paid off, landing her the role of Wichita and setting the stage for a successful career. Eisenberg’s story offers a glimpse into Stone’s raw talent and the comedic chemistry that contributed to Zombieland’s success.