Emma Stone Won't be a Disney Princess, Actress to Play Cruella de Vil in Origin Story

• comments
• 
• 

Disney's plans of producing a live-action movie adaptation based on "101 Dalmatians" was announced years ago, with the idea of putting the character of Cruella de Vil in the center of the story. Now, it looks like the studio has found the actress willing to portray a villainess and not a Disney princess.

"Spider-Man" star Emma Stone, 27, is reportedly in talks to lead in the origin story of the Disney character, with Kelly Marcel of "Terra Nova" already tasked to write the screenplay, per The Hollywood Reporter. The news outlet also reported that Aline Brosh McKenna of "The Devil Wears a Prada" previously came up with an early version of the script, but no director has been attached to the production so far. Filming has been set for 2017 if all plans are set in place.

The animation, which Disney first released in theaters in 1961, depicted Cruella as a spoiled London heiress with an obsession for the Dalmatian dog breed. She's married and lives in Hell Hall, and she goes around town riding an intimidating black and white sedan with a very loud horn. Cruella kidnaps the Dalmatians from their owners and uses the dogs' hides to make fur coats and accessories. She particularly eyes the Dalmatians of her friend Mrs. Dearly, who keeps a hundred puppies.

The cartoons was based on the book written by Dodie Smith and published in 1956. The Disney movie was re-released in 1991 and earned good box office results, according to Baltimore Sun.

This is not going to be the first time "101 Dalmatians" gets a live-action adaptation for the big screen though. In 1996, John Hughes already did one that had Glenn Close playing Cruella. The villainess' storyline was tweaked a bit as the character became the head of a fashion house. The character also featured in the Broadway play that was mounted in 2009, per Broadway. The story of the musical was closer to the original book version.

Meanwhile, before Emma accepts the project and begins work as Cruella, she will first be seen in the musical "La La Land" along with Ryan Gosling. The two have previously worked together in "Crazy, Stupid, Love."

"La La Land" is about a musician (Ryan) and an actress (Emma) in Los Angeles. It's a love story that also features a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers-inspired dance, per Entertainment Weekly. The film is written and directed by Damien Chazelle. It is set for a July release in theaters.