Emma Stone's Cruella makes a dazzling transformation before our very eyes in a new advertisement for the upcoming movie. The villainess is notorious for her impeccable, and sometimes fatal, style and it looks like the 2021 live-action, featuring Stone in the titular role, will dig up the roots of where it all began; how Estella de Vil turned into the devilish Cruella.
Cruella's wickedness was first explored in the exuberant tale of 101 Dalmatians. This long-awaited prequel was first announced in 2011, with Stone being confirmed in the role in 2016. Due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, the release date was delayed from December 2020 to May 28, 2021 when the film will be released theatrically and become available on Disney+ (with Premier Access). The story follows a young Cruella living in London during the 1970s and working for fashion designer Baroness von Hellman (portrayed by Emma Thompson). Joining Stone and Thompson for this zany adventure are fellow cast members Emily Beecham, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser and Kirby Howell-Baptiste, along with renowned director, Craig Gillespie (best known for I, Tonya).
As the premiere day draws closer, Walt Disney Studios have been frequently releasing teaser videos. Today, audiences get a glimpse of what (or who) may have played a part in young Estella's metamorphosis. In the video, Cruella is seen to be fed up of Baroness von Hellman's egotistical notion that she "own[s] everyone." Cruella hastily takes to the sewing machine to fashion a magnificent gown (that has featured in previous trailers) as she reiterates that she's "brilliant, bad and a little bit mad." Check out the video below:
There has been a lot of comparison between the early looks of Cruella and those of DC's Birds of Prey and Joker, although Stone has assured that the film is quite different. But if this video is anything to go by, it's clear that, similar to Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, Cruella can thank those around her with villainous tendencies for her inevitable turn to the dark side. Although it certainly will not be that simple (no origin story ever is), as Gillespie asserts the various emotional battles that have contributed to Cruella's evil fate.
Due to the teaser trailer's title, New Look, and Cruella's grand outfit that has now appeared in many of the trailers, it could be argued that her response to the Baroness is the first time she goes by the infamous name, "Cruella." But until May 28 rolls around, fans can't be certain of anything and will have to wait patiently to face the wrath of Cruella.
Source: Walt Disney Studios