From Walt Disney Studios Comes the Chilling Story of ‘Cruella’ Set for May 2021 Release
Walt Disney Studios is adding another live action movie adaptation of an original animation we all know and love, but this time it’s not your typical remake–Cruella (2021) is set to hit theaters in May, 2021.
Instead of doing an adaptation of the adorable 101 Dalmations, Disney is going the Maleficent route and focusing on the villain of the story, Cruella de Vil, starring Emma Stone as the title character.
Cruella will be somewhat of a prequel, showing how Cruella de Vil became one of the most iconic Disney villains to ever exist.
According to Cinema Blend, the plot of Cruella is “one that follows young fashion designer Cruella de Vil in ’70s London. As the story will tell, the character becomes obsessed with dog skins, notably dalmatians.” The movie will be entirely from Cruella’s perspective as we witness her become the villain we have always known her to be.
Craig Gillepsie, who directed films such as Lars and the Real Girl (2007) and more recently I, Tonya (2018), will be directing Cruella. Other stars in the movie are Emma Thompson, Paul Walter Hauser, Joel Fry and Mark Strong.
The movie seems to be coming full circle when it comes to previous stars who have helmed the role of Cruella de Vil. Glenn Close, who played Cruella de Vil in the 1996 adaptation of 101 Dalmations and then later 102 Dalmations (2000), is an executive producer for the new film.
In an interview with ET at Stone’s premiere of Zombieland: Double Tap (2019), Stone speaks about what it’s like putting on the wig for Cruella, as well as if she took any inspiration from Glenn Close’s portrayal: “It’s pretty trippy, it’s wild. There are times where I have to wake up into [character] and think, ‘this is bananas.’” About Glenn Close, Stone thinks Close is “obviously the G.O.A.T. but, I also just love the cartoon. [Close] is incredible. [This movie] comes before her story–[the new film] leads to where Cruella becomes her true greatness.”
Cruella is categorized as an adventure/comedy, an American crime story that takes place in ‘70s London. It is currently in post-production and set to release on May 28th, 2021.
Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVx6tydSotY (interview)
https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2487176/disneys-cruella-what-we-know-so-far-about-the-cruella-de-vil-movie