Disney recruiting I,Tonya director for Cruella de Vil film starring Emma Stone
According to The Hollywood Reporter, I, Tonya director Craig Gillespie is in talks to direct the long in development Cruella de Vil film for Disney, with Emma Stone set to star as the titular fur-coat loving baddie.
Mozart in the Jungle co-creator Alex Timbers was originally slated to direct the pic way back in 2016, but had to back out due to scheduling conflicts with his Broadway productions of Moulin Rouge and Beetlejuice.
The Cruella De Vil movie, titled Cruella, will explore the villainess who originated in Dodie Smith’s 1956 book, “The Hundred and One Dalmatians.” The role was voiced by Betty Lou Gerson in Disney’s 1961 animated adaptation and played by Glenn Close in the 1996 live-action take (as well as in that film’s 2000 sequel, 102 Dalmatians). Smith also briefly revisited the character in her lesser-known science fiction sequel book, “The Starlight Barking.”
First scripted by The Devil Wears Prada scribe Aline Brosh McKenna, the Cruella De Vil movie’s most recent draft hails from Kelly Marcel (Fifty Shades of Grey, Saving Mr. Banks). Andrew Gunn (Dora the Explorer) is producing with Kristin Burr and Jessica Virtue overseeing for the studio.
Gillespie worked with Disney on The Finest Hours and Million Dollar Arm. He also helmed the Fright Night remake and Lars and the Real Girl.
(Photo credit: Getty Images)