Emma Stone as Cruella de Vil in the Live-Action Films
Emma Stone portrayed Cruella de Vil in the Disney live-action films Cruella (2021) and 101 Dalmatians (2021). The role required prosthetics, a signature black-and-white hairstyle, and a comedic villain performance. Stone is an Academy Award winner, and the films were produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Marc Platt Productions. The project is part of Disney's trend of live-action adaptations of classic animated properties, with a focus on star-driven casting and modernized origin stories read more.
The 2021 film Cruella earned approximately $233 million worldwide against a reported budget of $100 million. Disney tracked the film as a profitable theatrical and streaming release through Disney+. The costume design by Jenny Beavan received attention for its punk aesthetic and Dalmatian-print motifs. The film's marketing emphasized Stone's transformation and the character's fashion empire, tying into broader consumer brand partnerships around the release read more.
Glenn Close and Other Actresses Who Played Cruella de Vil
Glenn Close originated the live-action version of Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians (1996) and 102 Dalmatians (2000). Close portrayed the character with a theatrical, glamorous villainy, earning Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations. The films were distributed by Walt Disney Pictures and featured Jeff Daniels, Joan Plowright, and Timothy West in supporting roles. Close's performance defined the live-action interpretation for a generation of audiences read more.
Before Close, the character was voiced by Betty Lou Gerson in the 1961 animated classic One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Close's live-action take shifted the tone toward camp and fashion, while the animated version emphasized the character's cruelty and obsession with fur coats. Both versions remain part of Disney's core intellectual property portfolio, with the studio controlling licensing, merchandise, and adaptation rights globally read more.
Career Impact and Industry Context for the Cruella de Vil Actor
Emma Stone's casting as Cruella de Vil followed her Oscar win for La La Land (2016) and roles in Easy A, Birdman, and Zombieland. The Cruella role positioned her within Disney's franchise strategy, which relies on star power and established IP to drive global box office and streaming viewership. Disney's live-action division has released multiple adaptations, including Maleficent, Cinderella, and Aladdin, with Cruella fitting the pattern of origin-focused retellings read more.
The role intersects with broader entertainment industry trends