THOMPSON TWINNED

Emma T talks working with Emma S…

What was your first exposure to Cruella?

I was two when the original animated movie came out so I won’t have seen it till much, much later. But what I always remember is just that coat, her gloved hands and these huge eyes. Emma’s got these massive eyes so she couldn’t be more right for it, but also because she’s her, you’re very drawn to her.

What drew you to the Baroness?

That this woman was utterly ruthless and speaks about it. It is so fun to play because she’s got no empathy whatsoever so she’s so defended, nothing could go through. There are no cracks. I’ve never played anyone with no cracks.

What was it was like working with Emma Stone?

It was quite hard for me to have any friction with Emma because we’re such good friends and love each other. I met her long before this project so I knew that we were going to have a good time.

What’s your most vivid memory from shooting the film?

My great challenge was to survive the heels the Baroness wears as I hate high heels. There was this one scene where I was literally standing at the top of a flight of very slippery stairs in a pair of high heels, with a glass of Champagne [in one hand] and the three Dalmatians in the other – and a huge frock with a wig that’s a foot high… I said to [director] Craig [Gillespie], “This is not going to end well. I’m going to be pulled down these stairs.” I didn’t fall over until I got to the bottom of the stairs... but I did fall over.

The Baroness’ outfits are fabulous – did you have a favourite?

Every single one I go, “Oh, this is my favourite.” “This is my favourite.” There were some costumes that were so beautiful, I didn’t want to take them off. But in the end, you have to take them off because you’re wearing a corset underneath and the corsets are fantastically uncomfortable. So that saved me from, you know, rushing off with half of them.