Anya Taylor-Joy Beat Emma Stone for the Role in ‘The Menu’

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Anya Taylor-Joy‘s world is currently dominating ours. Her newest movie, titled “The Gorge,” has taken Apple TV+ by storm as its largest launch to date. While Apple typically keeps viewership numbers private, they often make exceptions for top performers – and this film certainly fits the bill! A recent report by Deadline suggests that the movie has fueled a double-digit growth in global streaming and increased new viewership by more than 80% since its release on February 14. Indeed, it’s quite an achievement!

2020s have been a successful period for Emma Taylor-Joy, captivating audiences with her acting in films such as “Peaky Blinders,” “The Northman,” “Amsterdam,” “Super Mario Bros. Movie,” and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.” Her impressive work can also be seen in “The Menu,” a film that remains popular even two years after its debut, reaching the top 10 chart on Netflix U.S. in February. This just goes to show that exceptional talent never loses its appeal. Interestingly, despite being nominated for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes, Taylor-Joy nearly lost the role in “The Menu” to a more established Hollywood actress.

Anya Taylor-Joy Is at the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time in ‘The Menu’

In “The Menu,” the dishes presented stir up dissatisfaction with your current meal and longing for better bites. However, take comfort because no one in this movie enjoys their dining experience. The story begins by introducing us to food enthusiast Tyler Ledford and his companion, Margot Mills (played by Taylor-Joy), who travel by boat to the private island restaurant, Hawthorne. Here, they’re greeted by the renowned chef, Julian Slowik (portrayed by Ralph Fiennes), whose professional achievements seem to have filled a void in his personal life.

Among the other attendees are a food critic, her supervisor, two high-profile frequenters, a once popular actor and his assistant, three business owners, and Slowik’s alcohol-dependent mother. As we were taken on a tour of the island by the head waiter, it became apparent that Margot was a late addition to Tyler’s list of guests when his original choice failed to respond to the invitation in time. Does this give you a backstage feel?

At dinnertime, Slowik offers an assortment of dishes accompanied by thought-provoking soliloquies. Instead of the jovial TV chef we’re accustomed to, he now seems eerie and deeply melancholic, as if he has withdrawn within himself. One wonders what might have led to this change in his demeanor.

During the third meal, hidden secrets about each attendee are exposed through pictures imprinted onto tortillas. Shortly afterward, one of the sous-chefs takes his own life and when one guest attempts to depart, Slowik’s team amputates a finger as a threat. Gradually, it becomes clear to the remaining guests that they have unwittingly entered a vortex of violence orchestrated by none other than the famous Chef himself.

In the realm of Agatha Christie-esque mysteries, Slowik reveals that each guest was invited for a reason: either they had the ability to dampen his love for cooking or they profited off the labor of chefs like him. He ominously declares that by the end of the night, everyone would be deceased. However, there’s Margot – seemingly uninvolved in these events. It’s crucial to watch her closely. Despite having only her agility, courage, and resourcefulness, she surpasses the typical horror movie’s final girl in her actions.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s Role as Margot Was Initially Reserved for Emma Stone

Writer Will Tracy came up with the concept for The Menu while enjoying a meal at an island eatery near Bergen, Norway, during his honeymoon. This culinary encounter eventually led him to pen a screenplay based on his experience, and as he brainstormed ways to make it captivating, he pondered: what if the central character was a murderous chef?

When Tracy discovered that the movie might be produced, he sought advice from numerous figures in the high-end culinary world, including chef Dominique Crenn (the first female American chef to win three Michelin stars), who prepared several famous dishes from her renowned San Francisco restaurant. David Gelb was also recruited to replicate the filmmaking approach used in his Netflix series Chef’s Table.

Back in 2019, it was revealed that Alexander Payne (most famously known for “Sideways”) would direct the project and Emma Stone and Ralph Fiennes were set to star. Regrettably, in June 2021, scheduling conflicts forced Stone to withdraw from the film, paving the way for Anya Taylor-Joy to discuss taking her role. By July of the same year, it was officially confirmed that Taylor-Joy would be stepping into Stone’s shoes.

It seems that Emma Stone has opted for Poor Things over The Menu, both projects having started around the same time. Was this a wise decision? Indeed, it was! This period film received 11 Oscar nominations and won four, including Best Actress for Stone herself. Moreover, it proved to be successful at the box office, making no second thoughts for the actress about her choice.

Anya Taylor-Joy Was Still the Perfect Choice, Given Her Style and Preferences

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can confidently say that Emma Stone would’ve undoubtedly given a captivating portrayal as Margot. Nevertheless, Anya Taylor-Joy was an exceptional choice for the role. She truly shines, masterfully balancing poise, determination, and vulnerability within her character, all while skillfully toning down her striking natural beauty to create a more authentic portrayal of the character’s complexities.

Taylor-Joy shines particularly well due to the fact that she often chooses roles similar to those she has taken before. With six horror movies under her belt already, she’s still relatively new to the scene. Each of her performances in this genre has garnered critical acclaim, suggesting that it’s a field where she feels at ease. Meanwhile, Stone is primarily known for comedy roles, occasionally venturing into thrillers and dramas. Her adaptability is undeniable, but one might ponder if she would find a project like The Menu appealing.

In a subtle yet impactful manner, Taylor-Joy often employs a reserved and emotionally expressive acting style, which was crucial for portraying Margot. Her characters generally appear calm and ethereal, seemingly untouched by the stress or excitement in their surroundings. Observing her performances in “The Queen’s Gambit” and “The Witch,” you can see that she excels at conveying quiet yet powerful emotions. She is a seasoned professional who maintains composure, even when surrounded by frantic co-stars who believe tasks should be completed swiftly without much deliberation. It’s likely that Taylor-Joy will communicate more through her eyes and actions than through dialogue. Conversely, Stone has always flourished when given ample lines to deliver.

Above all, Stone isn’t content with taking a secondary role now, and rightfully so given her impressive accomplishments. She would likely prefer a film where she and her male co-star share electrifying chemistry rather than one where he plays the lead as a silver-tongued villain while she is either basking or mourning in her part as a doted-upon lover. It’s clear that in “The Menu,” Ralph Fiennes truly dominates, delivering a chilling performance that lends an authentic sense of dread to the narrative.

Taylor-Joy appears unfazed by such male-dominated playgrounds (at least not so far). Witness her in ‘Peaky Blinders,’ where she may be just a love interest, but her influence on the storyline is profound, pushing manipulation to unprecedented heights. The casting decision for ‘The Menu’ was undeniably beneficial for all involved.

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2025-03-10 01:05