The first trailer for Cruella debuted yesterday and the response to the live-action beginnings of Cruella de Vil, played by Emma Stone in the film, has mostly been positive so far. One comparison that many on social media were making was to Todd Phillips' Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix and there were so many of them that "Disney's Joker" began trending on social media.
Directed by Craig Gillespie, Cruella follows a younger version of the villain we will come to love and hate in the 1961 animated movie 101 Dalmations. The film looks to delve into the origin story of Cruella and based on the trailer's look and overall vibe, many on social media felt that the representation of the character was very reminiscent of what Todd Phillips did with Joker. As one fan put it on Twitter, "This is basically Disney's Joker" and this is echoed by thousands of other tweets on the platform. Another user says "I was definitely not expecting this to be Disney's Joker, but honestly, I'm here for it."
The trailer is also getting some Joker adjacent comparisons to Harley Quinn but these comparisons have been slightly more negative and a bit over the top. One user says "Why are they trying to make the puppy killer into Harley Quinn??? I swear Cruella is one of the last Disney villains you can make a misunderstood anti hero of. She is a rich lady that skins puppies. Please. She doesn't need the attractive and charismatic revamp." Another user seems to share that sentiment by saying "I love a good villain. But it seems to me like Disney doesn't understand that the cackling rich woman who got utterly obliterated by the tiny puppies she tried to murder, is not some Harley Quinn-esque badass lady lol." I guess you can't make everyone happy.
Cruella is set in 1970s London and finds young fashion designer Estella de Vil (Emma Stone) becoming obsessed with dogs' skins, especially Dalmations until she eventually becomes a ruthless and terrifying legend known as Cruella. The film also stars Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, and Mark Strong. Glenn Close, who played the titular character in the 1996 live-action remake and its sequel, is on board as an executive producer.
Do YOU agree with the Joker and Harley Quinn comparisons? Check out some of the Twitter reactions below!