Emma Stone Is Woody Allen’s New Muse: What Does It Mean?

Emma Stone is the latest star to openly support Woody Allen, but not in the way you might think. Variety reports that the actress has been cast opposite Joaquin Phoenix in Allen's next, as-yet-entitled film, set to begin shooting in July. It will mark the second consecutive Woody Allen film for Stone, who stars in the director's upcoming romantic comedy Magic In The Moonlight. Stone is now the only high-profile actress to sign on to an Allen film since the scandal surrounding the director escalated earlier this year.

If you'll recall, Stone was one of the Hollywood A-listers called out in the controversial essay written by Allen's estranged daughter Dylan Farrow, in which she accused her father of molesting her as a child. “What if it had been you, Emma Stone? Or you, Scarlett Johansson? You knew me when I was a little girl, Diane Keaton. Have you forgotten me?” Farrow wrote. Johansson has since called the letter "wildly irresponsible," and Keaton also came to the defense of her longtime friend. Stone, however, has yet to comment publicly on the matter, a miraculous feat considering she just wrapped up a whirlwind publicity tour for The Amazing Spider-Man 2. But, based on her decision to work with Allen yet again, we can safely assume that the 25-year-old actress would also defend the director if pushed into a corner.

Some observers have already accused Stone of choosing her career over her moral obligations as a role model, because starring in a Woody Allen film is still a major coup for any young actress, despite where he may stand in the court of public opinion.

Hollywood is a culture that celebrates forgiveness, comebacks, and reinvention, especially when it involves the supremely talented. Roman Polanski has been an American fugitive for over three decades after he admitted to drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl, but has since worked with top flight actors and even won a Best Director Oscar in 2002 for his work on The Pianist.

The difference here is that despite a history of questionable behavior, Allen has yet to be charged with a crime. So, while Stone's involvement with the director might raise some eyebrows, her career will remain firmly intact, and she knows it. After all, Cate Blanchett just won an Oscar for her performance in Allen's most recent film and openly thanked the director in her acceptance speech. Stone, we're guessing, hopes she'll one day get to do the same.