There’s a New ‘Cruella’ in Town

“Brilliant. Bad. A little bit mad.” That’s how Disney is describing the movie Cruella, a live action movie based on the evil character from the 101 Dalmatians movies. But this movie differs from the previous flicks as the main character doesn’t meet up Roger, Anita and all their little pups. It appears to be a prequel/reimaging of the character portrayed this time by Emma Stone. Disney explains the plot of the movie this way:

“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.”

The trailer is a far cry from the usual ones that we are used to seeing. It’s looks dark and disturbing and unlike the two Maleficent movies, I don’t think that we’re going to get much of a redemption story here, but you never know. Craig Gillespie (I Tonya) directs the film with Jenny Beaven (Mad Max; Fury Road and A Room with a View) doing costume detail. And in case you’re wondering if Glenn Close is okay with Stone taking over her red shoes, apparently she is. She’s serving as an executive producer. Watch the Cruella trailer here and then compare that De Vil with Close’s version.