First Look at Emma Stone as ‘101 Dalmatians’ Villain Cruella de Vil

The live-action “Cruella” prequel will be released on May 28, 2021.

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Walt Disney Studios on Saturday provided the first look at Emma Stone as Cruella de Vil, the iconic villainess from “101 Dalmatians.”

The studio later tweeted the image out following the panel at the company’s annual D23 Expo.

Emma Stone was announced as the star of the upcoming live-action “Cruella” back in 2016. The Oscar-winning actress has big heels to fill. Glenn Close played the villainess in the 1996 live-action film “101 Dalmatians” ($320.7 million worldwide) written by John Hughes and a 2000 sequel ($183.6 million worldwide).

“Cruella” will serve as a prequel, following a young Cruella de Vil. The film was originally expected to hit theaters during the Christmas holiday period in 2020, but will now be released on May 28, 2021.

Along with Stone, the film stars Emma Thompson, Paul Walter Hauser and Joel Fry.

“I, Tonya” director Craig Gillespie is set to direct. Gillespie previously directed the films “Million Dollar Arm” and “The Finest Hours” for Disney. Tony McNamara wrote the most recent draft of the script. Marc Platt and Andrew Gunn are producing the film.

Disney has enjoyed a recent bout of exceptional box office success, with both its live-action re-imaginings of “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” grossing more than $1 billion worldwide.

Later this year, Disney will release the live-action sequel “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” starring Angelina Jolie, followed by a live-action version of “Mulan” next year.

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