EMMA STONE will be back for more dramatic fashions and dastardly deeds, officially closing a deal to star in the upcoming “Cruella 2.” News of the sequel’s development broke in early June, just weeks after the live-action prequel to the Disney animated classic “101 Dalmations” opened in theaters. At the time, “Cruella” director Craig Gillespie and screenwriter Tony McNamara were both expected to return for the new movie, but a deal was not yet done for Stone. “While the media landscape has been disrupted in a meaningful way for all distributors, their creative partners cannot be left on the sidelines to carry a disproportionate amount of the downside without the potential for upside,” Patrick Whitesell, executive chairman of Endeavor said of the new deal. “This agreement demonstrates that there can be an equitable path forward that protects artists and aligns studios’ interests with talent,” Whitesell continued. “We are proud to work alongside Stone and Disney, and appreciate the studio’s willingness to recognize her contributions as a creative partner. We are hopeful that this will open the door for more members of the creative community to participate in the success of new platforms.” Stone starred in and executive produced the film — the third live-action adaptation of the property, following two turns by Glenn Close as the Disney villain — with Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beecham, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Mark Strong in supporting roles. The movie has earned more than US$85 million domestically and US$220 million in global box office. Upon its release, “Cruella” was also made available on Disney Plus via an additional US$30 purchase through the streamer’s Premier Access option. The new agreement comes on the heels of Scarlett Johansson’s breach of contract suit against Disney over the company’s decision to release “Black Widow” simultaneously on Disney Plus and in theaters. “Cruella” and “Black Widow” were the first of Disney’s major releases to debut day and date theatrically and on Disney plus, when the studio adopted the hybrid plan after the pandemic caused calendar shifts for the 2021-2022 slate. Since then, “Jungle Cruise,” starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, debuted via the hybrid model, while both Ryan Reynolds’ “Free Guy” and Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” will exclusively premiere in theaters before heading to VOD. (SD-Agencies) | 