Updated on 8 April: “Cruella de Vil, Cruella de Vil, if she doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will…”

Perhaps the most evil Disney villain of all (she murders dogs so that she can dress up in their fur, remember), Cruella de Vil has successfully terrified children and adults the world over for decades.

It’s not long now until the iconic character gets her own live-action film, one which promises to take us back to the days when Cruella (played by Emma Stone) was just Estella, a girl with a dream.

A dream that, as the latest trailer confirms, has been born of her nefarious thirst for vengeance. Gulp.

Check it out:

It’s a pretty intense trailer, and one which goes some way towards explaining Estella’s descent into evil. Namely, that Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson), the menacing leader of a London fashion house, pretty much shoved Estella over the edge.

“Everyone else is an obstacle,” Baroness von Hellman advises Estella over lunch. 

“If you care what an obstacle wants or feels, then you’re dead.”

Pausing to take a bite of her meal, the nefarious villain continues: “You have the talent. Whether you have the killer instinct is the big question.”

Essentially, the Baroness gives Estella the tools she needs to become a ruthless monster. And so, when she betrays her young protégé, it’s only natural that Estella/Cruella will seek out “poetic justice.” Cue her hatching a plot to steal the Baroness’ numerous Dalmatians (a clear reference to the film’s source material, the classic Disney animated film 101 Dalmatians), and “lots more bad things” besides.

As reported on 15 March: During the 2021 Grammys, Disney dropped the second trailer for Cruella.

Scored by These Boots Are Made for Walking, we see a young Cruella – aka Estella – struggling to balance her janitorial job with her big fashion dreams.

“It’s a world of opportunity,” she says. “And I was meant for more in this life. 

“I want to make art, and I want to make trouble.”

Check it out:

To quote the diabolical Cruella: “I am woman, hear me roar.” 

And, on that note, here’s what we know about the new Disney+ movie so far.

What’s the plot of Disney’s Cruella?

As reported on 16 February: It’s difficult to imagine how Disney is going to transform Cruella into a sympathetic character, but the official plot synopsis definitely has us intrigued.

“Set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, Cruella follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs,” it reads. 

“She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets.”

Naturally, though, Estella’s story does not seem destined for a happily-ever-after finale.

“One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute,” continues the synopsis.

“But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.”

Who stars in the cast of Disney’s Cruella?

Emma Stone takes the lead as Estella/Cruella, and two-time Oscar® winner Emma Thompson takes on the role of Baroness von Hellman.

Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beacham, Joel Fry, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Mark Strong also star.

Is there a trailer for Disney’s Cruella?

You can watch the full-length trailer for Disney’s Cruella below:

Who is directing Disney’s Cruella?

Cruella comes from director Craig Gillespie, who might not be a household name but you’ve probably watched at least one of his movies (think Lars And the Real Girl, 2011’s Fright Night remake, and I, Tonya). 

Who are the screenwriters for Disney’s Cruella?

Cruella boasts a truly eclectic team of screenwriters. Think Kelly Marcel (Saving Mr. Banks, Fifty Shades of Grey, Venom), Dana Fox (How To Be Single, Isn’t It Romantic?), Tony McNamara (The Favourite), Jez Butterworth (Ford v. Ferrari, Spectre, Black Mass), Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), and Steve Zissis (Togetherness). 

When will Disney’s Cruella be available to watch?

Cruella will drop on 28 May 2021 in UK cinemas (Covid depending), alongside a host of brilliant new films and TV series via Disney+.

Anyone else counting down the days?

Images: Disney