Fans of Emma Stone's take on Disney's most fashionable villain may have reason to celebrate. Director Craig Gillespie, who helmed the 2021 live-action prequel Cruella, has given a promising update about a potential sequel. In a recent interview with The Playlist, when asked directly if audiences would ever see a Cruella 2, Gillespie responded: "It's possible. That's going to be something else that's on the agenda." The statement reignites hopes for a continuation of the story that reimagined Cruella de Vil as a rebellious fashion designer in 1970s London.
Gillespie's comments come during a busy period for the filmmaker. He is currently riding the wave of Supergirl's release, the second movie installment in James Gunn's burgeoning DC Universe. This high-profile project has kept him occupied, but the door remains open for a return to Disney's world of dalmatians and daring couture. The director's careful phrasing—"it's possible"—suggests that while no concrete plans are in motion, the idea is very much alive within the studio's development pipeline.
A Fresh Take on a Classic Villain
Cruella was a refreshing entry in Disney's ongoing series of live-action remakes. Rather than offering a nearly shot-for-shot retelling of the original 1961 animated film or even the 1996 Glenn Close live-action version, the movie provided an entirely new origin story. It followed Estella, a young orphan with a natural talent for fashion design, who later rebrands herself as Cruella. Set against the gritty backdrop of 1970s London, the film transformed the character from a fur-obsessed villain into a charismatic anti-heroine. Cruella becomes something of a vigilante, staging elaborate stunts to showcase her boundary-pushing designs while waging a battle of wits against the legacy designer The Baroness, played brilliantly by Emma Thompson.
The movie also starred Joel Fry as Jasper and Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Anita, among others. It earned critical acclaim for its bold aesthetic and Emma Stone's electrifying performance, culminating in an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design—a testament to Jenny Beavan's stunning work. At the box office, Cruella grossed $233.5 million worldwide against a reported budget of $100 million. While not a blockbuster on the scale of some Disney live-action titles, its performance was particularly impressive given that it was released theatrically in May 2021, immediately following the height of COVID-19 lockdowns. The fact that it achieved such numbers while many theaters were still operating at reduced capacity is a clear indicator of its appeal.
Sequel Confirmation and Development Struggles
Not long after the film's release, Disney officially confirmed that a sequel was in development. However, progress has been slow. In the years since, the project has remained in the rumor mill, with few concrete updates. Emma Stone herself affirmed her desire to return to the role as recently as 2024, expressing enthusiasm for exploring more of Cruella's story. But the actress's skyrocketing career has created scheduling conflicts. Stone is one of the most sought-after performers in Hollywood, coming off two Oscar wins (for La La Land and Poor Things) and earning her fifth acting nomination for this year's Bugonia. Her fruitful creative partnership with director Yorgos Lanthimos—which includes The Favourite, Poor Things, and upcoming projects—has further cemented her status as an auteur's muse.
Beyond Cruella 2, Stone is attached to several other films. She is set to star in Dave McCary's The Catch and an untitled Miss Piggy movie, both currently in development. Gillespie himself has additional projects on his plate beyond Supergirl. Still, the director's recent comments suggest that Cruella 2 remains a priority, even if it takes time to align everyone's schedules. As he noted, it's "on the agenda."
What Could Cruella 2 Be About?
The original film ended with Estella fully embracing her Cruella persona, having outsmarted The Baroness and inherited her fortune. She now runs her own fashion house, surrounded by her loyal friends and a pack of dalmatians she has repurposed as a glamorous accessory. A sequel would presumably continue to explore Cruella's fashion empire and criminal pastimes. Given the 1970s setting and the punk rock influences, the sequel could delve deeper into London's underground scene, possibly introducing new rivals or allies. At one point, unconfirmed rumors circulated online that Taylor Swift was being courted for an antagonistic role. While these rumors have never been verified, and it remains unlikely that they will materialize, the idea speaks to the level of interest Disney has in turning Cruella into a major franchise.
Other possibilities include an adaptation of the original 101 Dalmatians story from Cruella's perspective, showing how she transitions from fashion icon to the obsessed villain who wants to make a coat out of puppies. However, given that the first film deliberately avoided that darker turn, a sequel might choose to keep Cruella in a morally gray space, blending anti-heroine charm with stylish mayhem. The film's success also opens the door for more crossovers with other Disney live-action properties, though no such plans have been announced.
The appetite for Cruella's return is clear. Audiences appreciate the character's audacity and her "little bit mad" designs, as the film puts it. With Stone's star power and Gillespie's direction, Cruella 2 could be a major event for Disney, especially as the studio continues to mine its animated vault for new live-action adaptations. The future of the franchise now rests on whether the key players can find a window in their crowded calendars. For now, fans can revisit the original film, which is currently available to stream on Disney+. In the end, if there's one lesson from Cruella, it's that this villain knows how to make an entrance—and an exit—with style.
Source: MSN News