Cruella 2021

Movie · 134 min · English · May 18, 2021

Black comedy Crime comedy Crime comedy-drama

Directed by Craig GillespieWritten by Dana Fox, Tony McNamara

Starring Emma Stone, Maeve and Nell Chadwick, Billie Gadsdon, Tipper Seifert-Cleveland, Emma Thompson

Cruella is a 2021 American crime comedy film that was directed by Craig Gillespie. The screenplay was written by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara, while the story was developed by Aline Brosh McKenna, Kelly Marcel, and Steve Zissis. The production was handled by Walt Disney Pictures, Marc Platt Productions, and Gunn Films. It draws from Dodie Smith's 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians and functions as a prequel to the character Cruella de Vil. This film is the third live-action version within the 101 Dalmatians franchise. Emma Stone plays the title role, supported by Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Mark Strong. The setting takes place in London during the height of punk rock in the 1970s. It traces the journey of Estella Miller, a young fashion designer, to her transformation into the infamous Cruella de Vil.

Development began in 2013 when Disney announced plans for the film, with Andrew Gunn as producer. Stone was cast in 2016 and also acted as executive producer, working alongside Glenn Close who had previously played Cruella in the live-action movies 101 Dalmatians (1996) and 102 Dalmatians (2000). Principal photography occurred in England from August through November 2019, with a budget of $100 million.

The film made its debut in Los Angeles on May 18, 2021, marking the first major red-carpet event after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was released in the United States by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and simultaneously made available on Disney+ through its Premier Access feature on May 28. The film earned over $233 million worldwide, receiving favorable reviews from critics. It received two nominations at the 94th Academy Awards, including Best Makeup and Hairstyling, winning Best Costume Design. It was also nominated in the former category and took home the award for Best Costume Design at the 27th Critics' Choice Awards and 75th British Academy Film Awards. Stone was nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 79th Golden Globe Awards. A sequel is currently in development, with Stone expected to return as the lead.