Emma Stone to play punk version of Cruella

Emma Stone is set to star in Disney’s live-action take on Cruella de Vil, the antagonist from 101 Dalmatians. According to The Hollywood Reporter, I, Tonya director Craig Gillespie is in early negotiations to helm Cruella. Stone will play the infamous villain in what is being billed as an origin story, set in the early 1980s with a punk vibe. Glenn Close famously portrayed the role of the maniacal, notorious, furloving, dog-hating head of a fashion house who would go to any lengths to get hold of more Dalmatian fur in 101 Dalmatians (1996) and reprised the role in 102 Dalmatians (2000). There is speculation that Disney hopes to replicate the box office success of Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie.

Prior to Gillespie, Alex Timbers was on board to direct the project, but the deal could not go through due to scheduling issues. Andrew Gunn is producing Cruella with Marc Platt and Kristin Burr.

GLENN CLOSE PLAYED THE MANIACAL, DOGHATING HEAD OF A FASHION HOUSE WHO WOULD GO TO ANY LENGTHS TO GET HOLD OF MORE DALMATIAN FUR IN 101 DALMATIANS AND IN 102 DALMATIANS

PHOTO: JOEL C RYAN/ INVISION/AP Actor Emma Stone