Emma Stone, a prominent actress renowned for her two Best Actress Oscars for “La La Land” and “Poor Things,” routinely receives mistaken identity comparisons with fellow star Emma Watson. This mix-up has been a persistent experience for Stone despite her wide-ranging roles in both blockbuster hits and critically acclaimed independent films, as well as her collaborations with acclaimed director Yorgos Lanthimos.
Stone’s latest film, Bugonia, directed by Lanthimos, centers on a pharmaceutical company CEO, played by Stone, who is abducted by conspiracy theorists convinced she is an alien. With its Rotten Tomatoes rating flawless at debut, the movie is positioned to be another success for Stone as it approaches its October 31 wide release.
The Emma Stone and Emma Watson Identity Mix-Up Explored
On October 20, Stone and her co-star Jesse Plemons appeared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, hosted by Josh Horowitz, where the mistaken identity topic surfaced. Stone disclosed,
“I do get called Emma Watson all the time. All the time.”
– Emma Stone
Horowitz humorously replied,
“You were great in Harry Potter.”
– Josh Horowitz
emphasizing how often this confusion happens in casual conversations about their careers.
Later in the discussion, Horowitz directly asked them about the last time they were confused with someone else, and Stone reiterated, “It’s always Emma Watson.” Watson is widely recognized for portraying Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, and both actresses share the same first name and are close in age, which likely contributes to frequent confusion.
Shared Casting Histories and Career Paths
Emma Stone and Emma Watson’s careers have interesting overlaps beyond their names. Watson was originally cast as the lead in “La La Land” but had to exit due to scheduling conflicts with the live-action “Beauty and the Beast.” Stone later played the lead and earned an Oscar for her performance. Conversely, Stone was initially cast as Meg in Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” remake but dropped out, allowing Watson to take the role.
Adding to this intertwined history, Ryan Gosling reportedly declined “Beauty and the Beast” to star alongside Stone in “La La Land.” These films gave the actors significant acclaim—“La La Land” garnered a Best Picture nomination, and “Beauty and the Beast” surpassed $1 billion globally. Watson’s “Little Women” also became a Best Picture nominee, further establishing both actresses in notable roles.
Current Career Status and Future Prospects
While Stone continues to build a strong awards-season presence with critically praised projects, including a potential Best Lead Actress nomination for “Bugonia” in 2026, Watson has stepped back from acting. Since 2018’s “Little Women,” Watson has not appeared in films, signaling an indefinite hiatus rather than retirement.
The persistent confusion between the two actresses mainly arises due to their shared first name, but both have firmly established unique identities in the entertainment world. As Watson remains focused on pursuits outside of acting and Stone’s “Bugonia” arrives in theaters, Stone’s profile may increasingly overshadow the identity mix-up in the public eye.
