BURBANK, Calif., April 27 (UPI) — Emma Stone will indeed star in Disney’s live-action “Cruella.”
The studio confirmed the 27-year-old actress will play Cruella de Vil in the forthcoming movie, with “Saving Mr. Banks” writer Kelly Marcel to pen the script.
Stone was first linked to “Cruella” in January, with sources telling The Hollywood Reporter that Disney intends to begin filming this year. The movie is expected to be an origin story about de Vil, who first appeared in “101 Dalmatians.”
Disney released an animated “101 Dalmatians” in 1961 and followed up with a live-action version starring Glenn Close as de Vil in 1996. The actress reprised the role for the 2000 sequel “102 Dalmatians.”
“101 Dalmatians” is based on Dodie Smith’s novel of the same name, which was published in 1956. The live-action adaptation and its sequel earned a combined $504.2 million at the box office.
Disney is also working on a “Mary Poppins” sequel starring Emily Blunt and a Tinker Bell movie with Reese Witherspoon. The studio also announced sequels to “Maleficent” with Angelina Jolie and “The Jungle Book.”
Stone was spotted with new, dark hair and bangs in Malibu, Calif., over the weekend. The actress will star in new Netflix series “Maniac” with Jonah Hill and is also slated for “La La Land” with Ryan Gosling.
