Cruella: 5 Ways It Deserves A Sequel (& 5 It Should Be A Standalone)
The much-anticipated Cruella premiered just last week in theaters and on Disney+, and fans are already talking about the possibility of a sequel. The movie, which centers on a young Cruella de Vil as she makes a name for herself in the fashion scene, features a career-best performance by Academy Award winner Emma Stone in the title role. Reviews were mostly positive, although more than one critic questioned the purpose of the movie.
There could be enough material to warrant a sequel, but that doesn't mean it should get one. And as more Disney villains get the antihero treatment, audiences might be starting to get tired of these stories. However, Cruella is arguably the best live-action Disney adaptation, so it could be exciting to see where the story is heading.
10 Should Get A Sequel: Positive Reception
As of today and based on 316 reviews, Cruella has a 74% score on Rotten Tomatoes, just one percent shy of the 75 needed to be Certified Fresh. Critics praise the film's visuals, the costumes, and production design, as well as the performances of both Emmas. However, several mention the film's failure to justify its own existence.
Audiences were far kinder with the movie. It received an A on Cinemascore and currently has a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film's interpretation of Cruella was near-universally praised by those who saw it, so why not see more? Fans loved it and critics liked it. Bring on the sequel.
9 Should Be Standalone: Commercial Success?
Cruella debuted with $21 million for the three-day weekend and $26 million when counting Memorial Day. It currently stands at $46 million worldwide, but things don't look promising, and interest seems to be fading out fast.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cruella also debuted on Disney+ Premier Access, but those numbers remain unknown. It's impossible to have a complete picture of how Cruella is performing, though, at least for the time being. But with a production budget of reportedly $200 million and a rather bleak opening weekend, Disney might want to cut ties with Miss de Vil.
8 Should Get A Sequel: Roger & Anita
Unlike the animated classic 101 Dalmatians, Roger and Anita barely have anything to do in Cruella. Anita as Cruella's ally, but there are no hints of their supposed close friendship. Roger is a charming but clumsy lawyer working for the Baroness who blames Cruella for his eventual firing. Both Roger and Anita make a lasting impression despite their reduced roles, and audiences definitely found them charming.
At the end of the movie, Cruella sends them a pair of dalmatian puppies, Pongo and Perdita, thus setting up the events of 101 Dalmatians. A sequel could still focus on Cruella but give Roger and Anita their dues.
7 Should Be Standalone: Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil
Disney's trend to turn their classic villains into misunderstood antiheroes began in 2014 with the release of Maleficent. The film, which mixed fantasy elements with classic action-adventure, was a huge box-office success, grossing a whopping $758 million worldwide.
Its sequel, however, grossed only $491 million. It's still an impressive haul, but also a considerable decrease in comparison to the original. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil also failed to turn in a profit as it needed around $500 million to do so. Mistress of Evil's failure could be bad news for Cruella, as it might mean audiences' interest in these new takes on villains might not be as strong as previously thought.
6 Should Get A Sequel: Cruella's Crew
A big part of Cruella's charm relies on, surprisingly, Horace and Jasper. Played to perfection by Paul Walter Hauser and Joel Fry, respectively, the characters get new life in this adaptation. Gone are the clumsy imbeciles from the original animated movie and the 1996 live-action adaptation. Instead, Hauser and Fry imbue Horace and Jasper with enough vulnerability and charm to warrant a spin-off of their own.
Artie, Cruella's partner in fashion and occasionally crime, also steals the spotlight, thanks to his panache and sense of style. All these characters perfectly complement Cruella's journey, and a sequel could do so much more with them.
5 Should Be Standalone: A Love Story For Cruella?
Speaking of Jasper, Cruella isn't subtle with the hints that he might be romantically interested in the titular villainess. Fry and Emma Stone share considerable chemistry, and they both do a fine job portraying an unspoken attraction between their characters. However, is a love story necessary for Cruella de Vil?
The movie already does a lot of retconning to the character, true. But turning her into a full-blown romantic lead might be a tad too much. If the sequel does happen, it would be best to focus on Cruella's new girl-boss attitude and leave out the romance.
4 Should Get A Sequel: More Baroness Von Hellman
Emma Thompson should get almost as much credit as Emma Stone. The veteran actress plays Baroness von Hellman with wicked glee, creating a stylish and hateful character unlike any other Disney villain. In fact, Thompson plays the Baroness more closely to Cruella de Vil's original portrayal in 101 Dalmatians.
It's no surprise that Thompson excels in the role because she excels in everything she does. Cruella ends with the Baroness going to prison, leaving the door open for a potential return. A sequel would be the perfect opportunity to bring her back, and more Emma Thompson is always a good thing.
3 Should Be Standalone: Live-Action Fatigue
The recent releases of Christopher Robin, Dumbo, and the previously mentioned Maleficent: Mistress of Evil signal a problematic pattern. All three received mediocre reviews from critics and disappointed at the box office.
Aladdin and The Lion King did cross the $1 billion mark, despite the negative reviews. People often talk about superhero fatigue, but what about live-action fatigue? Cruella's moment seems to be fading out fast, and by the time its sequel comes — if it comes — audiences might no longer be interested in seeing it.
2 Should Get A Sequel: A Disney Miranda Priestly
Fashion is as pivotal to Cruella's plot as the villainess herself. The costumes are to die for, and the movie goes all-in with its portrayal of '70s London style.
Stone's portrayal of Cruella seems inspired by Miranda Priestly, the icy editor-in-chief from the now-iconic 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada. The role remains hugely popular and cemented Meryl Streep's status as a box office draw. Turning Cruella de Vil into Disney's version of Miranda would be an inspired choice that would keep the character's wicked ways without making her a full-on villain.
1 Should Be Standalone: Is This Really Cruella?
Many fans argue that Cruella does a disservice to the original character and the animated classic. The film retcons so much from the original story that Cruella de Vil becomes an entirely different character with no similarities to her previous iterations. Gone is her love for fur and her gleeful villainy. Instead, the movie paints her as a rebellious and misunderstood genius, far too talented for regular people to understand.
It's an intriguing approach, no doubt, but one that bears little resemblance to the source material. Should Cruella get a sequel, the character would likely keep getting redeemed, further straying from the classic villain. In the end, Cruella is a bold experiment that should probably stay as a standalone effort.
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