Emma Stone has made a dramatic transformation for her latest role in “Bugonia,” a much-anticipated science fiction movie set to premiere in 2025, and fans at the New York Film Festival caught the first glimpse of her new look—a freshly shaved head, marking a striking choice for the actress. The Emma Stone shaved head movie Bugonia is already generating significant interest in Hollywood, as anticipation grows for Stone’s collaboration with director Yorgos Lanthimos and a talented ensemble cast.
New York Film Festival Appearance Reveals Shaved Head
On September 5, 2024, Emma Stone attended the premiere of “A Real Pain” at the New York Film Festival, an event also showcasing the work of Fruit Tree, the production company she co-founded with Dave McCary. While dressed in an asymmetrical striped Louis Vuitton dress, Stone wore a wig—a choice driven by her secret look underneath. Reports confirm that beneath the wig, the Oscar-winning actress had buzzed off her signature hair for her new film “Bugonia.” This bold transformation comes as Stone continues to seek out challenging roles and immerse herself in complex characters, building on her recent collaborations with Lanthimos in “Poor Things” and “Kinds of Kindness.”
The public’s first glimpse of Stone’s hidden look stirred excitement and curiosity, with fans and industry insiders alike eager to learn more about her latest project and the reasons behind the drastic haircut. Discussions online speculated about her character’s style and the importance of this visual change to the story, sparking widespread analysis of Stone’s evolving career choices.
Premiere Timeline and Release Plans for Bugonia
The release of “Bugonia” is scheduled for October 2025. The film will first appear in a select group of theaters starting October 24, before expanding to a nationwide release on October 31. The rollout strategy indicates Focus Features’ confidence in the movie’s appeal and Emma Stone’s star power, allowing for both an exclusive debut and later broad audience access. Anticipation is already high among moviegoers, especially those following Stone’s recent transformation for the role.
Origin and Plot: From Cult Classic to Modern Sci-Fi Reimagining
“Bugonia” is based on “Save the Green Planet!,” a 2003 South Korean science fiction film known for its genre-blending storytelling and unique plot. In the original, the lead character fixates on a bizarre conspiracy, and in “Bugonia,” Stone takes on a reimagined, gender-flipped version of the protagonist—this time as a pharmaceutical executive who, as the story progresses, becomes bald. Variety reports that the plot revolves around two individuals with a penchant for conspiracy theories. In their pursuit of truth, the pair decide to kidnap a powerful CEO, convinced that she is not only a corporate leader but a disguised alien with plans to annihilate humanity.
“two conspiracy-obsessed young men who kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.”
As the concept developed, the project began gaining support in Hollywood, attracting seasoned creatives eager to adapt this cult story for Western audiences. The combination of quirky science fiction and a high-stakes abduction plot gives “Bugonia” a distinct voice in contemporary cinema, promising viewers an intense, genre-defying experience.
Production Journey and Creative Collaborations
The journey to bring “Bugonia” to life involved collaborations across continents and industry sectors. The head of CJ ENM’s film division, Jerry Jerry Ko, recounted the enthusiasm and network it took to assemble the current creative team. While visiting Los Angeles, Ko noticed Ari Aster moderating a screening of “Save the Green Planet!” and decided to invite Aster onto the production team. This outreach quickly brought together more acclaimed names.
“We started out with the belief that the film’s concept was ahead of its time and that [maybe we] could make an indie movie, but as we traveled around Hollywood, we realized that there were many hidden fans of the original film. I happened to be in L.A. and saw Ari Aster moderating a screening of Save the Green Planet at a theater, so I reached out to him and asked him to be a part of the production. So he came on board as a producer,” —Jerry Jerry Ko, head of CJ ENM’s film division
“Then Will Tracy, a screenwriter of Succession, came on board and wrote the story. The buzz started to build from then on. Later Yorgos Lanthimos and some great actors came on board.” —Jerry Jerry Ko, head of CJ ENM’s film division
With the addition of “Succession” screenwriter Will Tracy and celebrated director Yorgos Lanthimos, the script gained further refinement. The involvement of Ari Aster, known for his psychological storytelling, also helped anchor the film’s tone, ensuring the adaptation would stay true to the original’s bold vision while updating the narrative for a global audience.
Filming Locations and Creative Setting
The production team chose High Wycombe, England, as the backdrop for “Bugonia,” with principal filming taking place throughout the summer and early fall of 2024. The selection of this British location reflects the film’s need for a versatile setting—capable of conveying both corporate environments and surreal sci-fi landscapes. These visuals will play a key role in building the heightened atmosphere that director Yorgos Lanthimos is known for creating in his previous films. London also became an informal hub for the stars, as Stone was frequently spotted around the city between shoots, sometimes hinting at her undercover look with a beanie and sweater combination.
Cast Features Award-Winning and Rising Talent
“Bugonia” brings together a compelling cast, mixing veteran actors with new faces. The roster for the film includes:
1. Emma Stone
2. Jesse Plemons
3. Alicia Silverstone
4. Aidan Delbis
5. Stavros Halkias
Stone’s on-screen partnership with Jesse Plemons, as well as the inclusion of Alicia Silverstone, signals another complex ensemble like those seen in previous Lanthimos projects. The production further benefits from the talents of Aidan Delbis and Stavros Halkias, adding additional layers of chemistry and versatility to the cast. Each actor’s real-life persona and recent career moves add texture to their on-screen relationships and character arcs.
The Artistic Choice: Why Emma Stone Embraced a Shaved Head
Emma Stone’s decision to cut her hair for “Bugonia” is more than a cosmetic change—it marks a commitment to fully inhabiting her new character. Observers were treated to hints about Stone’s transformation at both the New York Film Festival and during her time in London, with careful stylistic choices revealing and concealing her updated look. This willingness to undergo a drastic change underscores her dedication to her art and her ongoing collaboration with director Yorgos Lanthimos, whose films often require immersive performance choices.
After an encounter with Jazz Charton, wife of “A Real Pain” actor Kieran Culkin, Stone drew attention to the wig’s edge, quietly letting fans in on her new look before the official reveal. During an August visit to London, Stone was also seen in outfits perfectly engineered to hide her scalp, sparking speculation and excitement online about the movie and her physical transformation.
“Cruella Chic Meets Incognito Cool • CelebMafia Emma Stone revisits Cruella’s stomping grounds in London, serving up a masterclass in low-key celebrity style. Discover how the Oscar winner blends comfort and fashion effortlessly.Emma Stone, the chameleon of Hollywood, recen… pic.twitter.com/cK5QuAMp7o” —netiblogpro.com (@netiblogpro), August 12, 2024
Speculation remains about whether Stone’s character will experiment further with her shaved look—possibly layering on bold colors or temporary tattoos. For now, both the specifics of her character’s style and the plot remain closely guarded, amplifying pre-release excitement.
Root of the Title: Exploring the Bugonia Theory
The title “Bugonia” draws inspiration from an ancient idea—the bugonia theory—which claimed that bees were spontaneously generated from the body of a dead cow, the word itself meaning “ox birth.” This theme, laden with symbolism concerning transformation, misunderstanding, and the construction of false realities, hints at the movie’s deeper message. Given director Yorgos Lanthimos’s penchant for incorporating layered philosophy and unexpected narrative turns, fans and film theorists expect “Bugonia” to explore how perception can establish or obscure truth, using the referenced ancient myth as both a thematic anchor and a metaphorical device throughout the story.
What the Future Holds for Bugonia and Its Creative Team
The emergence of Emma Stone’s shaved head has already driven conversation around “Bugonia,” illustrating the level of commitment she and the production have brought to this adaptation. With High Wycombe, England providing the stage for its surreal world, and talents like Jerry Jerry Ko, Ari Aster, and Will Tracy guiding the vision, the film looks poised to deliver something both intellectually stimulating and visually distinctive. The anticipation around the Emma Stone shaved head movie Bugonia, coupled with Lanthimos’s reputation for genre-defying works, sets the table for a release that could reshape how science fiction is viewed in mainstream Western cinema. As the release date approaches, audiences will be watching closely for further sneak peeks, official trailers, and behind-the-scenes insights, all leading to one of 2025’s most intriguing cinematic events.
