Cruella is an American crime
comedy-drama film based on the character Cruella de Vil, introduced in Dodie
Smith's 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians and Walt Disney's 1961
animated film One Hundred and One Dalmatians and is produced by Walt Disney
Pictures. The film is directed by Craig Gillespie with a screenplay by Dana Fox
and Tony McNamara, from a story by Aline Brosh McKenna, Kelly Marcel, and Steve
Zissis. Emma Stone stars as the title character, with Emma Thompson, Joel Fry,
Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Mark Strong in
supporting roles. Stone also serves as an executive producer on the film
alongside Glenn Close, who previously portrayed Cruella in the previous
live-action adaptations, 101 Dalmatians and 102 Dalmatians.
Cruella presents a back-story,
centering on a young woman named Estella, before she took on her famous, punny
moniker. According to a synopsis from Disney, Estella is a grifter who loves
fashion, "a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself
with her designs." After befriending thieves in London, Estella makes her
way on the streets but soon catches the eye of Baroness von Hellman, and their
friendship takes a dark turn.
The cast includes:
> Emma Stone as Estella
"Cruella" de Vil : An ambitious and aspiring fashion designer, who
will go on to become a dangerous criminal obsessed with dalmatian furs.
> Emma Thompson as
Baroness von Hellman: The head of a prestigious fashion house, who is Estella's
boss.
> Joel Fry as Jasper
Badun: A thief hired by Estella to help her in her crimes, and Horaces's
brother.
> Paul Walter Hauser as
Horace Badun: A thief hired by Estella to help her in her crimes, and Jasper's
brother.
> Emily Beecham as Catherine:
Estella's mother, an impoverished laundrywoman.
> Kirby Howell-Baptiste as
Anita: Estella's journalist friend.
> Mark Strong as John: The
Baroness' valet whose "agenda is not as plain as his name".
> Jamie Demetriou as
Gerald
> John McCrea as Artie
Cruella is scheduled to be
released theatrically in RealD 3D , IMAX 3D and simultaneously available on Disney+
with Premier Access on May 28, 2021, in the United States.