Not only are we hearing rumors speculating that Disney is working on a spin-off, origin movie project based on the notorious 101 Dalmatians character Cruella de Vil, but the studio reportedly wants Hollywood sweetheart Emma Stone in the starring role! Apparently entitled Cruella, this new film will show us the younger version of the villainous character, with a script from Kelly Marcel (Saving Mr. Banks, Fifty Shades of Grey).
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Glenn Close previously portrayed the dastardly dog hater in the live-action adaptation of Dodie Smith's 1965 book, The Hundred and One Dalmatians, and its sequel, but this new Disney project is set up as an origin story.
You probably also remember the animated 101 Dalmatians movie featuring the debut of Cruella de Vil, who wanted the skin of the puppies for fashion purposes. Close's de Vil was similar in that she was the head of a fashion house, hoping to get the dogs' fur as well (via IGN).
Maybe this origin movie will give us some reasoning behind the character's disdain for animals.
Stone is reportedly in negotiations with Disney for Cruella, which will hopefully also show the origins of the character's infamous dog-fur coat! According to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news, this project is a priority for Disney and filming could start later this year if these negotiations go well.
Stone has a unique beauty that could translate to the evil character, so we're excited to see how this movie turns out-if the casting rumors are true.
Another Disney villain origin film hit theaters in 2014. Starring Angelina Jolie, Maleficent was a box office success, so Disney hopes to have a repeat with Cruella.
