Cruella De Vil Live-Action Film Might Follow ‘Maleficent’ Direction With Emma Stone As Its Lead

There’s no stopping Disney from bringing back its classic animated films and reviving them through live-action movies. While last year’s Cinderella remained faithful to the story everyone was used to, 2014’s Maleficent dramatically shared a different story. Viewers got the chance to see that she was merely a misunderstood mistress, and that she had nothing but love for Aurora. The film’s ending even proves how far Maleficent will go to keep the princess safe. Will Disney’s Cruella de Vil live-action film have a similar take on the 101 Dalmations villain?

Since the Cruella de Vil live-action film will shed light on her younger days, the creative team might provide a reason for her behavior. When people think of the iconic villainess from the well-loved 101 Dalmatians, they consistently come up with an image of a corrupted woman. After all, the fashion-obsessed heiress doesn’t find the idea of skinning puppies for clothes appalling. If that isn’t enough, the song penned for her is a testament of her vengeful character.

“If she doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will. To see her is to take a sudden chill Cruella, Cruella De Vil. The curl of her lips, the ice in her stare. All innocent children had better beware. She’s like a spider waiting for the kill. Look out for Cruella De Vil.”

According to Hollywood Reporter, the team is in early negotiations with Emma Stone. If things go as planned, the Easy A actress will give life to the antagonist in a film that will be simply titled Cruella. There are no leads yet as to who the other cast members may be, but the studio is reportedly eager to start filming later this year. Kelly Marcel, known for her works on 50 Shades of Grey and Saving Mr. Banks, is tasked to pen the script with the help of Aline Brosh McKenna who wrote the screenplay for The Devil Wears Prada.

It won’t be the first time for audiences to see Cruella in the flesh. Glenn Close played the role in the 1996 live-action remake of 101 Dalmatians. She also did the same in 2000 for the sequel, 102 Dalmatians. The live-action films were not as celebrated as their animated predecessors, but Close’s costumes received praise. Designers Anthony Powell and Rosemary Burrows even applied makeshift claws and teeth to Cruella’s gloves and necklaces to project her image as someone who loved wearing dead animals’ parts.

Cruella’s most recent live-action appearance was on ABC’s fairytale series, Once Upon a Time. Her character was played by Victoria Smurfit, and the show gave her a unique back story. The series portrayed a little Cruella whose mother kept her in an attic all her life. To further torment Cruella, her mother’s Dalmatians would be ordered to chase her. It might seem like a sob story, but the episode’s (“Sympathy for the De Vil”) ending revealed that Cruella was a psychopath who did horrible things when she was little.

Stone remains mum about being considered for the role. This year, she will be seen in Damien Chazelle’s musical, La La Land, with her Crazy, Stupid, Love and Gangster Squad co-star Ryan Gosling.

[Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images]