Cruella 2 Latest Updates: What We Know About Emma Stone's Return And The Dark Future Of Disney's Most Fashionable Villain

Cruella de Vil remains one of Disney's most compelling and complex villains, and as of December 15, 2025, the highly-anticipated sequel, Cruella 2, is officially a work in progress, with star Emma Stone confirming she is set to reprise her iconic role. The 2021 prequel film, Cruella, successfully redefined the character, transforming the fur-obsessed antagonist from Dodie Smith's 1956 novel, The Hundred and One Dalmatians, into a punk-rock anti-heroine named Estella Miller, setting the stage for a much darker and fashion-forward cinematic universe.

The development of Cruella 2 has been a major point of discussion since the first film's success, which offered a thrilling glimpse into the character's origins in 1970s London. Fans are now eagerly awaiting details on how the sequel will bridge the gap between the stylish, ambitious Estella and the truly wicked Cruella de Vil known for her infamous desire for a coat made of Dalmatian puppies.

The Complete Profile: Estella Miller to Cruella de Vil

The character of Cruella de Vil has undergone a significant transformation across her various portrayals, from the animated classic to the recent live-action origin story. The 2021 film introduced her as Estella Miller, a clever, creative, and rebellious orphan whose repressed dark side, Cruella, eventually takes over.

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• Full Name/Aliases: Cruella de Vil; formerly Estella Miller.
• Origin Story: Born Estella, she was secretly the daughter of The Baroness von Hellman, a ruthless fashion designer, and was raised by Catherine. Her mother’s death, orchestrated by The Baroness, was the catalyst for her transformation.
• Key Portrayals:
  • Animated: Voiced by Betty Lou Gerson in Disney's 1961 One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
  • Live-Action (1996/2000): Portrayed by Glenn Close in 101 Dalmatians and 102 Dalmatians.
  • Live-Action (2021): Portrayed by Emma Stone in Cruella.
• Setting (2021 Film): 1970s London, amidst the burgeoning Punk Rock and New Wave movements.
• Key Collaborators: Jasper Badun (Joel Fry) and Horace Badun (Paul Walter Hauser), her loyal accomplices. Artie (John McCrea), a gender-fluid vintage shop owner and fashion ally.
• Primary Antagonist (2021): The Baroness von Hellman (Emma Thompson).
• Director: Craig Gillespie (Cruella, 2021).

Cruella 2: The Path from Anti-Hero to True Villain

The most pressing news for fans revolves around the sequel, which is confirmed to be moving forward. While an official release date remains unconfirmed, industry speculation points to a likely 2025 release in theaters, building on the success of the first film.

Emma Stone’s Confirmed Return and Production Status

In a major win for Disney, Emma Stone officially closed a deal to return as Cruella de Vil, a crucial step that has moved the project out of development limbo and back into active production. The actress herself has described the sequel as a "work in progress," indicating that while the script and pre-production are underway, fans will need to remain patient.

The first film concluded with Estella fully embracing her Cruella persona and taking ownership of Hellman Hall, renaming it "De Vil Manor," a clear nod to her future as a wealthy socialite. The sequel is expected to dive deeper into this new life, exploring the challenges of maintaining her double life and her escalating moral decay.

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Potential Plot and Character Evolution

The central challenge for Cruella 2 is to bridge the gap between the Estella/Cruella we saw in 2021—who, despite her villainous turn, did not actually harm the Dalmatians—and the puppy-napping maniac of the original story.

Speculation suggests the sequel will focus heavily on:

• The Baroness's Legacy: With The Baroness defeated, Cruella must now navigate the elite London fashion world she inherited, likely facing new, equally formidable rivals.
• The Dalmatians: The puppies Pongo and Perdita were introduced in the post-credits scene of Cruella, setting up a direct link to the original story. The sequel will have to explain Cruella's shift from merely disliking the dogs to wanting to turn them into a fur coat, a key moment of true villainy.
• The Psychological Split: The character's emotional volatility and the psychological dissociation between the gentle Estella and the cruel Cruella are fertile ground for exploration. The sequel is expected to show the complete dominance of the "Cruella" side, solidifying her as a true antagonist.

The Punk-Rock Aesthetic: Cruella's Unforgettable Fashion Legacy

One of the most defining and critically-acclaimed elements of the 2021 film was its revolutionary costume design, which secured the character's status as a genuine fashion icon. The film’s aesthetic was a deliberate blend of high fashion and the rebellious, DIY ethos of 1970s British punk rock.

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The Genius of Jenny Beavan

The film's visual success is largely credited to legendary costume designer Jenny Beavan, a multi-Oscar winner who created a wardrobe that was both historically accurate to the punk era and wildly theatrical. Beavan's work earned her an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, cementing the film's place in fashion history.

Beavan's designs for Cruella, which totalled over 47 different outfits for Emma Stone, were a masterclass in "anti-fashion," using unconventional materials and dramatic silhouettes to reflect Estella's internal conflict and public rebellion against The Baroness's conservative high-fashion world.

Iconic Fashion Entities

The costumes themselves serve as crucial plot points and entities within the film, including:

• The Garbage Truck Dress: A dramatic, voluminous skirt made from layers of The Baroness's discarded fabric, revealed from the back of a garbage truck—a direct, public insult to her rival.
• The Newspaper Dress: A sophisticated gown made from newspaper print, worn to mock The Baroness at her own black-and-white ball.
• The Red Military Jacket: A sharp, rebellious look that captures the militaristic edge of the punk movement, complete with heavy makeup and bold accessories.
• The Black and White Hair: A signature look that symbolizes the character's dual personality, the "good" Estella and the "wicked" Cruella. This visual motif is a constant reminder of the bipolar dissociation at the heart of the character.

Cruella de Vil's evolution from a simple, materialistic villain to a complex, emotionally volatile anti-heroine has captivated a new generation. With Cruella 2 in development, the world awaits the next chapter of Estella's dark transformation, promising more high-stakes rivalry, deeper psychological exploration, and, undoubtedly, more groundbreaking fashion from the Queen of Punk. The sequel is poised to finally deliver the fully-formed, gloriously wicked villain fans have been anticipating.