Emma Stone tells Variety that shooting for Disney’s “Cruella” sequel will begin “Hopefully sooner rather than later.”
Stone, who plays the titular anti-hero Cruella de Vil in the 2021 live action prequel to “101 Dalmatians,” added that the follow up film is “a work in progress.”
Stone continued to offer updates on the anticipated sequel on the red carpet for the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Thursday night. When asked about revisiting the iconic antagonist, she said, “It’s a blast. She’s a blast. So yeah, we’ll see. It’s a work in progress.”
The first “Cruella” was a box office success, amassing more than $220 million at the global box office. News of a developing sequel broke only weeks after the film’s release in theaters. Stone was confirmed to return to the franchise in August 2021. Director Craig Gillespie and screenwriter Tony McNamara are also expected to return.
“Cruella” presents an origin story for the antagonist of the beloved animated movie “101 Dalmatians.” In 1970s London, a young and orphaned Cruella aspires to be a fashion designer, working under the egotistical haute couture designer Baroness Von Hellman (Emma Thompson). Joel Fry and Paul Walter Hauser round out the cast as Cruella’s longtime friends and partners in crime. Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste and Mark Strong are also featured in supporting roles.
In addition to starring, Stone served as an executive producer on the Disney film. The actress is currently promoting her most recent film “Poor Things,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Her performance as the reanimated Bella Baxter has generated awards buzz this season; she is currently nominated for a Golden Globe for best actress in a musical or comedy film.
Watch Stone’s Variety red carpet interview below.