The 45-year-old was fed up with the profession and did not take it seriously until the director offered her a part in his crime thriller, reported Contactmusic.
"Roles like Elena don't come along frequently. I didn't want to do another movie to be honest. Henri (Hayek's husband) convinced me of that. Actually I quit acting.
"If at all I just wanted to do it for fun. I didn't take it that seriously anymore. And then he (Stone) came. To be honest even if I didn't like the part I still would have said yes just to work with Oliver," Hayek said.
The actress also said her career isn't as important to her as her husband and four-year-old daughter Valentina.
"My life is completely different now. My career isn't as important to me anymore as other things that I've achieved. If someone said I could be the most famous and best paid actress in exchange for my current life - I wouldn't do it.
"My life with my daughter Valentina and my husband is amazing now. By the way, it's easier to get an Oscar than a good husband," she added.