Alex Timbers is in negotiations to direct Disney’s live-action “Cruella,” TheWrap has learned.
The celebrated Broadway director, writer and co-creator of Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle” would helm the project in which “La La Land” star Emma Stone has long been attached to play a young Cruella De Vil.
The film will focus on the famed “101 Dalmatians” villain in her early days.
Kelly Marcel is writing the script and Andrew Gunn is producing the movie.
Glenn Close previously played the black-and-white-haired Cruella in a 1996 live-action adaptation based on the 1961 animated classic, as well as in the 2000 sequel “102 Dalmatians.”
Disney executives Kristin Burr and Jessica Virtue will oversee the project for the studio.
Stone can be seen romancing her “Crazy Stupid Love” co-star Ryan Gosling in Damien Chazelle’s musical “La La Land” — which has already earned her several critics’ awards as well as nominations this week for the Golden Globes and SAG Awards.
Timbers is repped by WME. He has also been developing an array of film projects, including an untitled William Shakespeare musical for Disney.
The Evolution of Emma Stone: From 'Malcolm in the Middle' to 'La La Land' (Photos)
Emma Stone's "La La Land" led Monday's Golden Globe nominations, picking up seven nods including Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for the 28-year-old. See the career path that won her the part alongside Ryan Gosling.
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2000 While growing up in Scottsdale, Arizona, Emma Stone lands her first role in a theater production of "The Wind in the Willows" at 12 years old.
2004 The young actress makes her television debut on VH1's "In Search of the New Partridge Family." The show only produced the pilot and no more episodes.
2006 Emma Stone guest stars on an episode of "Malcolm in the Middle" titled "Lois Strikes Back."
Fox
2007 Before landing the role of Violet on Fox's "Drive," Stone auditioned for the part of Claire Bennet on NBC's "Heroes," but didn't get it. The role went to Hayden Panettiere -- and Stone said the rejection caused her to have a "meltdown."
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2007 Stone makes her feature film debut in "Superbad," starring alongside Michael Cera and Jonah Hill.
The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Critics' Choice Awards and MTV Movie Awards.
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2010
Emma Stone lands a starring role in teen comedy "Easy A." The film opened to a fresh Rotten Tomatoes score of 85 percent.
She won a Critics' Choice Award, MTV Movie Award and Teen Choice Award for the film.
Sony Pictures
2010 Stone hosts an episode of "Saturday Night Live" where she participated in a sketch playing off her resemblance to Lindsay Lohan.
NBC
2011 Stone breaks away from her streak of romantic comedies and dramedies and lands a role in period drama "The Help," set in the civil rights era. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
Dreamworks
2012 Stone is cast as Gwen Stacy, the love interest of Peter Parker in "The Amazing Spider-Man." She was nominated for a Teen's Choice Award and People's Choice Award.
Columbia Pictures
2015 Emma Stone receives an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Birdman," playing the daughter of Michael Keaton's struggling actor character.
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2015 According to Forbes, Emma Stone becomes one of the world's highest paid actresses tying at number 16.
2016 Stone stars in "La La Land" with Ryan Gosling. The film received a lot of awards season buzz and broke indie box office records.
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TheWrap looks back at the actress’ career from her theater days all the way to breaking indie box office records
Emma Stone's "La La Land" led Monday's Golden Globe nominations, picking up seven nods including Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for the 28-year-old. See the career path that won her the part alongside Ryan Gosling.