Willem Dafoe made Emma Stone slap him 20 times for a scene – And the reason why is absolutely hilarious!

When it comes to memorable moments in cinema, few are as unexpectedly hilarious as what happened on the set of “The Favourite” between Willem Dafoe and Emma Stone. The two seasoned actors share a great chemistry on screen, but there’s one moment in particular that stands out—one that involved Emma Stone slapping Willem Dafoe not once, not twice, but 20 times. And the reason behind this absurd yet funny request from Dafoe is nothing short of hilarious. So, why did Dafoe want to be slapped repeatedly by Stone, and how did it all unfold on set?

It all started with a scene in the 2018 critically acclaimed period drama “The Favorite,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. The film, which also stars Olivia Colman, takes place in the early 18th century and delves into the eccentricities of the royal court. Throughout the movie, there are numerous moments of tension, manipulation, and dark humor, but one scene stood out for the sheer absurdity of the way it was filmed.

The Unlikely Request: Why Dafoe Wanted to Be Slapped 20 Times

In an interview, Willem Dafoe shared the story behind his unusual request for Emma Stone to slap him a whopping 20 times during filming. The incident occurred during a key scene in the movie where Dafoe’s character, playing a historical figure in the court, is engaged in a heated confrontation with Emma Stone’s character. As part of the scene, the director wanted the slaps to feel authentic, with no faking it on the actor’s part.

However, Willem Dafoe’s approach to this required a bit of unorthodox thinking. Rather than going for the usual one or two slaps to get the emotion across, Dafoe insisted on being slapped multiple times, specifically 20 times, so that each one would feel real. But here’s the twist: the reason why he requested so many slaps wasn’t to create a more dramatic effect or to push his character to the extreme. No, the reason was much simpler—and ridiculously funny.

According to Dafoe, the reasoning behind the 20 slaps was to create a more authentic performance that felt spontaneous and raw. He believed that by being slapped so many times, the emotional and physical toll on his character would translate into something more genuine on screen. It was also his way of adding a bit of humor to the otherwise intense and serious moment. For Dafoe, the sheer absurdity of the situation—being slapped over and over again for the sake of the scene—was both hilarious and somewhat surreal.

Emma Stone’s Reaction: From Laughter to Shock

While the whole idea may sound bizarre, Emma Stone took it in stride. Despite her initial shock at the request, Stone was a consummate professional. She went along with Dafoe’s plan, slapping him 20 times with precision and determination. In the moment, however, she couldn’t help but laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of it all. After all, how often do you hear of a seasoned actor asking to be slapped 20 times for a scene?

What made the situation even more amusing was the fact that Dafoe himself had a reputation for being an incredibly intense and serious actor, known for his dedication to his craft. Yet, here he was, asking to be slapped repeatedly for the sake of humor. In a way, it was a demonstration of Dafoe’s commitment to his art—being willing to take an absurd request to ensure the scene felt as genuine and impactful as possible.

In the end, Emma Stone delivered each slap with such conviction that even Dafoe, a professional actor in his own right, couldn’t help but find the situation hilarious. The hilarity of the request was only amplified by the fact that Stone was just as committed to the scene, making the entire process more surreal than anyone expected.

The Aftermath: A Hilarious Scene That Worked Perfectly

In the grand scheme of things, the scene with Dafoe and Stone’s 20 slaps turned out to be one of the most memorable moments of the film. Though it was absurd in its execution, the result was a performance that felt both raw and authentic. The rawness of the emotion, combined with the unexpected number of slaps, created a sense of tension that felt real and was imbued with dark humor.

The behind-the-scenes story has since become a source of amusement for both fans and colleagues in the film industry. It’s a perfect example of how actors are willing to go to great lengths for the sake of their craft—even if it means enduring 20 slaps for one scene. And it’s also a reminder that, in the world of film, sometimes the most bizarre ideas end up being the ones that work the best.

For Dafoe, the whole experience added an element of comedy to an otherwise serious movie, giving fans a glimpse into his offbeat approach to his craft. He’s known for taking on unconventional roles and pushing the boundaries of acting, and this moment with Emma Stone was just another example of his fearless approach to his work.

A Moment That Defined the Film

Willem Dafoe’s request for Emma Stone to slap him 20 times in a scene from “The Favourite” may seem unusual, but it worked perfectly within the context of the film. The result was an unforgettable moment in which both actors showed incredible professionalism, a willingness to embrace the absurd, and a touch of humor that lightened the otherwise intense atmosphere. It was an unconventional approach, but in the world of Hollywood, sometimes the most unexpected moments end up making the biggest impact.

So, the next time you watch “The Favorite,” keep in mind that those 20 slaps weren’t just for dramatic effect—they were a hilarious and absurd way for Willem Dafoe to infuse some authenticity and humor into his character. The scene will likely go down as one of the most bizarre yet memorable moments in film history, and we have Dafoe’s sense of humor to thank for it.