2014’s Maleficent began an ongoing and hugely successful trend for Disney that has the studio hellbent on remaking and reimagining the stories introduced in their classic animated films for live action. Soon, one of Disney’s most villainous characters, Cruella de Vil, is getting her own origin story with Emma Stone embodying the role in 2021. Here’s the first look at the Oscar-winning actress as a “punk rock” fashionista. If she doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will:
Her coming evil plot aside, what a killer style! Emma Stone looks fabulous as Cruella de Vil, rocking her iconic two-shade hairdo and a black leather getup. The villain is holding tightly onto the leashes of three Dalmations as her two henchmen Jasper and Horace linger in the background. I, Tonya’s Paul Walter Hauser on the left will play Horace and Yesterday’s Joel Fry will portray Jasper.
The first look at Disney’s Cruella premiered at D23 in Anaheim during its massive Saturday panel showcasing the studio’s many upcoming movies. Emma Stone introduced the film with a video message by explaining her project would take place in ‘70s London during the city’s “punk rock” era and would feature a “great cast." However, she couldn’t finish her thought because the dalmation next to her kept barking to interrupt her. Looks like she’s channeling Cruella already!
Emma Thompson was also officially announced to be joining the cast in an undisclosed role, after previously starring in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Saving Mr. Banks. Cruella is being directed by Craig Gillespie, who previously helmed I, Tonya, The Finest Hours, Million Dollar Arm and Lars and the Real Girl. The most recent draft was written by The Favourite’s Tony McNamara with Isn’t It Romantic’s Dana Fox attached to a previous version.
Cruella has been in development for quite some time. Emma Stone has been attached to the project since 2016. The movie was originally set for a 2020 Christmas release but has since been moved to May 28, 2021. The Disney live-action film will compete with John Wick 4 coming to theaters on May 21, 2021 and Phase Four film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will come a few weeks earlier on May 7.
The Emma Stone-led film will serve as an origin story for the puppy-murdering villain, before the events of 101 Dalmatians from Disney Animation’s 1961 film. Cruella de Vil was originally voiced by Betty Lou Gerson in the classic, and Glenn Close later portrayed her in a 1996 adaptation of the story and then again in 2000’s 102 Dalmatians.
Before we see Emma Stone in Cruella, the actress will reprise her role as Wichita in Zombieland: Double Tap on October 18, 2019, and she’ll also return as Eep in Croods 2 coming in December 2020.
What do you think of Emma Stone’s Cruella look? Sound off in the comments below!
