According to a new report from Deadline, the long-in-development 101 Dalmations spin-off Cruella is now eyeing Craig Gillespie to direct.
- Deadline says that Gillespie is currently in talks to helm Cruella, which is set to star Emma Stone as the iconic villain.
- This news comes nearly two years after reports indicated that the studio was looking to Alex Timbers to direct.
- However, the site says that Disney is now hoping to begin production on the film next year.
- Unfortunately, Timbers has a lot on his plate at the moment as he is currently at work producing stage versions of Beetlejuice and Moulin Rouge.
- Thus, it seems Disney is in need of a new director; enter Gillespie.
- In addition to helming the indie hit I, Tonya, Gillespie has previously directed The Finest Hours and Million Dollar Arm — both for Disney.
- Cruella is one of several live-action films based on classic Disney animated films.
- Among the current projects on the slate or in development are:
- Dumbo
- The Lion King (although that’s arguably not really live-action)
- Aladdin
- Lady and the Tramp
- The Sword in the Stone
- Mulan
- Pinocchio