Evil is looking pretty good lately; at least Disney’s version of evil. Everyone knows that Disney is world famous for its beloved roster of princesses. Somewhere along the line, everyone realized that it had also created some genuinely compelling villains as well.
With the current live-action revolution of many of Disney’s iconic characters, the villains have enjoyed some of that treatment. Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent was so good that it quickly spawned a sequel. Now, Emma Stone is set to carry the torch as Cruella de Vil in Cruella, based on the iconic villain from 101 Dalmatians.
Today, Disney released a beautifully stylized official trailer for Cruella, which gives the canine antagonist an alluringly punk spin. Stone is almost unrecognizable as de Vil, but looks like she’s having a fantastic time.
Emma Stone as Cruella in Disney’s live-action CRUELLA. Photo by Laurie Sparham. © 2021 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserve 
Emma Stone as Estella in Disney’s live-action CRUELLA. Photo by Laurie Sparham. © 2021 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved. Emma Stone as Cruella in Disney’s live-action CRUELLA. Photo by Laurie Sparham. © 2021 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Based on the posters and trailer, this film certainly looks like a modern interpretation of the character and leans much more into the action genre than one might expect. There are always cynics who wonder why animated characters need to be adapted into live-action, but I welcome new takes on traditional characters, and this certainly seems to be that.
Stone, who has an Academy Award under her belt, is an incredible actor and I appreciate that director Craig Gillespie looks like he is taking full advantage of Stone’s considerable talents. When this project was initially announced, my interest level wasn’t extremely high. But after this eye-popping trailer, I’m definitely looking forward to the film’s premiere.
The official trailer, stills from the film and additional details are available below.
Cruella premieres May 28, 2021!
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TRAILER, TEASER POSTERS AND NEW STILLS FOR DISNEY’S ALL-NEW LIVE-ACTION
FEATURE FILM “CRUELLA,” STARRING ACADEMY AWARD®-WINNERS EMMA STONE
AND EMMA THOMPSON, AVAILABLE NOW
FILM, DIRECTED BY CRAIG GILLESPIE, WILL BE RELEASING MAY 28, 2021
BURBANK, Calif. (February 17, 2021) – The Walt Disney Company has released the trailer, two posters and new publicity stills for its all-new live-action feature film “Cruella,” starring Academy Award®-winners Emma Stone and Emma Thompson, directed by Craig Gillespie. The film will be releasing May 28, 2021.
Academy Award® winner Emma Stone (“La La Land”) stars in Disney’s “Cruella,” an all-new live-action feature film about the rebellious early days of one of cinemas most notorious – and notoriously fashionable – villains, the legendary Cruella de Vil. “Cruella,” which is set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute, played by two-time Oscar® winner Emma Thompson (“Howards End,” “Sense & Sensibility”). But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.
Disney’s “Cruella” is directed by Craig Gillespie (“I Tonya”) from a screenplay by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara, story by Aline Brosh McKenna and Kelly Marcel & Steve Zissis. It was produced by Andrew Gunn (“Freaky Friday”), Marc Platt (“Mary Poppins Returns”) and Kristin Burr (“Christopher Robin”), with Emma Stone, Michelle Wright, Jared LeBoff and Glenn Close serving as executive producers. Two-time Oscar®- winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (“Mad Max: Fury Road,” “A Room with a View”) creates the dazzling and imaginative costumes, which take on a life of their own.
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.
