🎩 Cruella’s Back with a Vengeance… or Is She? 🎩
Hold onto your furs, darlings! A dazzling teaser for Cruella 2 (2026) just dropped, with Emma Stone strutting her punk-rock style and Emma Thompson plotting revenge. Is this the fashion-fueled showdown we’ve been craving, or a stylish fan fantasy? 😈 One thing’s clear: London’s about to get wicked!
Disney’s Cruella (2021) redefined one of cinema’s most iconic villains, transforming Cruella de Vil from a fur-obsessed antagonist into a punk-rock antiheroine with a flair for fashion and rebellion. Starring Emma Stone as Estella/Cruella and Emma Thompson as the ruthless Baroness von Hellman, the film grossed over $220 million globally and left fans clamoring for more. Now, a teaser trailer for Cruella 2 (2026) has taken the internet by storm, promising a stylish showdown with Stone and Thompson reprising their roles. But there’s a twist: the trailer is a fan-made concept, not an official Disney release,. Meanwhile, Cruella 2 is officially in development, with Emma Stone confirmed to return,. In this article, we explore the viral fan-made trailer, the confirmed sequel’s progress, the legacy of Cruella, and what fans can expect from the next chapter of this devilish saga.
The Viral Teaser: A Fan’s Fashionable Fantasy
The Cruella 2 (2026) teaser trailer, uploaded by channels like Era AI Films and Teaser Tube on YouTube, is a dazzling display of fan creativity. Labeled a “concept trailer,” it weaves together footage from the first Cruella with digitally enhanced visuals and a pulsing soundtrack to envision a sequel filled with high-stakes fashion wars and personal vendettas. Emma Stone’s Cruella struts through 1970s London, clashing with Emma Thompson’s Baroness, who seeks revenge after her arrest in the first film. The trailer teases new characters, including potential roles for Joel Fry (Jasper), Paul Walter Hauser (Horace), and Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Anita Darling), while hinting at a deeper exploration of Cruella’s descent into villainy.
With thousands of views, the trailer’s polished production quality has fooled some fans into believing it’s an official Disney release. Social media platforms, particularly X, buzz with reactions like “Emma Stone as Cruella again? I’m screaming!” and “Is this real or too good to be true?” The creators clarify that the trailer is a fan-made effort, protected under fair use, designed to spark excitement and imagination. Its success mirrors the viral fan trailers for Twilight Saga 6 and Dracula (2026), highlighting the power of digital tools like AI and video editing software to bring fan dreams to life.
The Allure of Cruella 2
The original Cruella captivated audiences with its punk-rock aesthetic, sharp humor, and fresh take on the 101 Dalmatians villain. Set in 1970s London, it followed Estella, a young grifter turned fashion designer, as she embraced her alter ego, Cruella, to outwit the Baroness, revealed as her biological mother. The film’s mid-credits scene, where Cruella gifts Dalmatian puppies Pongo and Perdita to Roger and Anita, set up potential ties to the classic 101 Dalmatians story, leaving fans eager for a sequel. The fan-made trailer taps into this anticipation, promising more of Cruella’s audacious style and moral ambiguity, with a possible focus on the Baroness’s quest for vengeance or Cruella’s transformation into the dog-obsessed villain fans know.
The casting of Emma Stone and Emma Thompson is a major draw. Stone’s magnetic performance earned critical acclaim, while Thompson’s icy Baroness was a perfect foil, their chemistry driving the film’s narrative. The trailer’s imagined return of both stars, alongside supporting characters like Jasper and Horace, fuels excitement for a sequel that could blend fashion, crime, and dark humor. Fans on X speculate about plot points, with some hoping for a “Godfather Part II-esque” story exploring both Cruella’s rise and the Baroness’s past, as suggested by Thompson in a 2021 interview.
The Confirmed Cruella 2: What We Know
Unlike the fan-made trailer, Cruella 2 is officially in development. Disney confirmed the sequel in June 2021, shortly after the first film’s release, with Emma Stone signing on to reprise her role in August 2021,. Director Craig Gillespie and screenwriter Tony McNamara are expected to return, ensuring continuity in tone and vision,. In January 2024, Stone provided an update, calling the project a “work in progress” and hinting that filming could begin “hopefully sooner rather than later”,. However, no official trailer has been released, and the 2023 Writers Strike likely delayed script development, pushing production to 2024 or later.
While the cast beyond Stone remains unconfirmed, fans expect Joel Fry (Jasper), Paul Walter Hauser (Horace), and Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Anita) to return, given their roles in the original 101 Dalmatians story,. Emma Thompson’s return as the Baroness is less certain, as her character was imprisoned, but her expressed enthusiasm for a sequel suggests she could reprise the role,. The plot remains under wraps, but it’s likely to pick up where the first film left off, exploring Cruella’s life after overtaking the Baroness’s estate and her evolving relationship with the Dalmatian puppies. Director Gillespie has expressed interest in a “fully loaded” Cruella, hinting at a darker, more villainous arc.
The Legacy of Cruella
Cruella (2021) was a bold departure from Disney’s traditional villain narratives, reimagining Cruella de Vil as a sympathetic antihero rather than the cartoonish fur fanatic of 101 Dalmatians. Its success, grossing over $220 million despite a simultaneous Disney+ release, proved the appetite for fresh takes on classic characters. The film’s punk-rock soundtrack, vibrant costumes, and 1970s London setting resonated with audiences, earning praise for its style and performances. It also set a precedent for Disney’s live-action villain origin stories, following Maleficent (2014) and paving the way for films like Mufasa: The Lion King.
The fan-made Cruella 2 trailer builds on this legacy, envisioning a sequel that amplifies the original’s energy with more fashion, drama, and moral complexity. Its viral spread reflects the fandom’s passion, with fans on X praising its “killer visuals” and speculating about Cruella’s next move. The trailer’s success underscores the demand for a sequel that balances nostalgia with innovation, a challenge Disney must meet to satisfy its audience.
Challenges of Cruella 2
Adapting Cruella 2 presents unique challenges. The first film’s ending, with Cruella embracing her villainous persona, raises questions about how to maintain her as a sympathetic protagonist without retreading 101 Dalmatians. A straight remake from Cruella’s perspective risks alienating fans who love her redeemed qualities, while a completely new story must justify its place in the franchise. Gillespie’s comments about Cruella’s potential “downfall” suggest a tragic arc, which could be bold but divisive.
Casting and production logistics also pose hurdles. While Stone is confirmed, coordinating the schedules of Thompson, Fry, Hauser, and others could delay filming. The 2023 Writers Strike likely impacted the script, and with no confirmed release date, a 2026 premiere seems optimistic. Disney must also decide whether to prioritize a theatrical release or a Disney+ debut, given the first film’s hybrid model.
The Power of Fan-Made Content
The Cruella 2 (2026) trailer exemplifies the growing influence of fan-made content. Using AI, CGI, and editing software, creators craft trailers that rival studio productions, sparking excitement and debate. While these trailers risk misleading fans, they also demonstrate the creativity of fandoms, keeping stories alive when studios are slow to act. The Cruella 2 trailer’s success, like those for Twilight Saga 6 and Dracula (2026), shows how fans can shape pop culture narratives.
Fan Reactions and the Future
On X, fans are buzzing with excitement, with comments like “Cruella vs. Baroness Round 2? I’m in!” and “This trailer is fake, but I need it to be real.” The confirmed Cruella 2 has the potential to deliver on this hype, exploring Cruella’s evolution and her ties to 101 Dalmatians. While the fan-made trailer is a fantasy, it could inspire Disney to accelerate production or incorporate its bold ideas.
Looking ahead, Cruella 2 could pave the way for more Disney villain origin stories, with fans speculating about characters like Ursula or Scar. For now, the fan-made trailer keeps the Cruella fandom alive, reminding us that this devilish diva’s story is far from over.