Emma Stone and Disney have reportedly come to an agreement on the actress appearing in Cruella 2.
Deadline is stating that the studio and the actress have reached a deal that “mutually benefits both sides” for the privilege of Stone reprise her titular role in a further examination of the 101 Dalmatians villainess. As previously announced, the pic’s original director Craig Gillespie and screenwriter Tony McNamara will be returning.
Released this past May, Cruella told the story of the early years of the 101 Dalmatians villain, her rise to the top of London’s high fashion industry and before she developed a desire for puppy pelts.
The news comes in the wake of star Scarlett Johansson suing Disney over the release of her latest Marvel Cinematic Universe entry6, Black Widow. In the suit, she argues that the studio broke their contract when it released the film as a hybrid release – both in theaters and as a $30 premuium on the Disney+ streaming service.
Cruella had a similar release this past spring. At the time, Disney released no information as to how well the film did as a premium offering on their streaming service, though it must have done well enough to initiate sequel planning at the studio. Some reporters place Stone as considering a similar legal action to Johansson’s.
Although no information about this new deal has been forthcoming, I would imagine that if Stone had felt she was due some compensation from the first film’s release, Disney must have made good with her. I would also speculate that within this new deal there is a good chance that there are provisions built in regarding should – heaven forbid – there ever be a need to move the Cruella 2 from a traditional theatrical release to something like the simultaneous theatrical and premium streaming release the first Cruella had.
