Why we all love a Cruella de Villain

Disney ladies who leave us cowering

- Richard Simpson

Emma Stone always puts her heart into her movie roles… but she needed a heart of stone for her latest character.

The star of Hollywood hits such as La La Land has turned screen baddie, playing Cruella de Vil.

And she joins a long list of Disney female villains who have the power to leave fans cowering – and sometimes screaming – in their seats, yet somehow clamouring for more.

Hence new movie Cruella, which has just opened in UK cinemas after Covid restriction were eased.

This is a prequel, in which 32-year-old Emma plays the young de Vi, a fashion designer who sets off on a journey to badness.

US actress Betty Lou Gerson voiced de Vilin the original animated film in 1961 and Glenn Close played her in the 1996 remake and its sequel in 2000. Close’s first outing as Cruel la netted £226million at the box office.