Ryan Gosling joked he thought he would be arrested for vandalism as he and Emma Stone had their hand and foot prints immortalised in cement in Los Angeles.

The film stars took part in the traditional Hollywood ceremony as they promote their new musical La La Land, which critics have hailed an early favourite for Oscar success.

Ryan plays a musician who falls in love with an aspiring actress played by Emma in the comedy-drama – the third film they have starred in together after Crazy Stupid Love in 2011 and 2013′s Gangster Squad.

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling (Richard Shotwell/AP)
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling (Richard Shotwell/AP)

Speaking at the ceremony outside the TCL Chinese Theatre, Ryan, 36, said: “I’m still, I guess, not completely convinced that we’re not going to be arrested for vandalism. I’m going to take your word for it that we’re allowed to do this.

“We had an opportunity to shoot in most of Los Angeles’ iconic locations except for this one so I guess this is the final piece of the puzzle. It’s a beautiful way to end this experience.

“I have to thank (director) Damien Chazelle for allowing us to be part of such a special film… and for Emma for doing this three times with me.”

Emma, 28, admitted she cried when she found out the cement cast of her hand and foot prints would remain outside the TCL Chinese.

She said: “This is embarrassing – I thought this was maybe the kind of a thing where you come and put your hand prints in cement and then they take them away and put them up somewhere.

“I was told they’re going to stay here so I cried a little bit inside.

(Richard Shotwell/AP)
(Richard Shotwell/AP)

“It’s very, very exciting. I moved to LA when I was 15 and came here and my hands are an exact match of Jane Russell’s. If you’re looking for a Jane Russell hand double, I’m your girl.

“This is an incredible experience and making this movie was an incredible experience. What a place to get to commemorate that.”

At the Los Angeles premiere of La La Land on Tuesday, producer Marc Platt denied there was added pressure on the film because of the Oscar buzz surrounding it.

He said: “You work hard to make a film, you’re proud of the film, you hope people love it and everything after that is icing on the cake.

“I think we live in complicated times and I think the best of cinema is the kind of cinema that transports you out of your life and takes you on a journey. That’s what La La Land seems to be able to do to people.

“The sheer delight and the romanticism of the film, the film-making itself, it brings a smile to your face. It makes you think about your life and the choices you’ve made.”

La La Land is released in the US on Friday and in UK cinemas on January 13.