Nicole Kidman has jumped right to the top of the list of Disney’s casting list to play the role of the antagonist in the latest story of the 101 Dalmatians ‘Cruella’.
Kidman joins that list which includes Emma Thompson, Charlize Theron, Julianne Moore and Demi Moore for the role of ‘The Baroness’, a character that is responsible for Estelle’s transformation into Cruella de Vil who is to be played by Emma Stone.
I, Tonya’s Craig Gillespie will direct. Gillespie would be taking over from Broadway’s Alex Timbers who has had to step down due to scheduling conflicts since Disney have brought the production start forward.
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The story is said to be an “origin story set in the 1970s with a punk vibe.” de Vil is known for her deviousness in obtaining dalmatian puppy fur for fashion reasons.
The film has a script by Jez Butterworth, and Marc Platt, Andrew Gunn and Kristin Burr are the producers. Filming is due to commence this summer.
Cruella de Vil first appeared in the 101 Dalmatians cartoon in 1961 and was later played by Glenn Close in the live-action adaptation in 1996.
Kidman was last seen in gay conversion drama, ‘Boy Erased’ which followed on her brief arrival in DC’s ‘Aquaman’. She also has a recurring role in the TV series ‘Big Little Lies’. Kidman’s upcoming projects include ‘The Goldfinch’ alongside Sarah Poulson and Finn Wolfhard, the currently untitled ‘Roger Ailes’ project alongside Margot Robbie and Charlize Theron as well as the new drama series ‘The Undoing’ with Hugh Grant.
