Alex Timbers In Talks to Helm Disney's CRUELLA, Starring Emma Stone

Deadline reports exclusively that Broadway director Alex Timbers is currently in talks to helm the live-action film CRUELLA for Walt Disney Studios. The project is described as a re-imagining of the tale of Cruella Deville from the animated classic 101 Dalmations. LA LA LAND's Emma Stone is currently attached to star in the title role.

Production on the film is expected to get underway early next year and features a script by Jez Butterworth. The feature is to be produced by Andrew Gunn and Marc Platt.

Timbers, a two-time Tony nominated writer and director, was originally set to helm Disney's Broadway-bound FROZEN. As BWW reported, he exited the project back in August. At the time, Thomas Schumacher, the president and producer of Disney Theatrical Production said in a statement: "Making the tough calls when creating a new Broadway musical is never easy, but this was especially painful. Alex Timbers is one of the most exciting and innovative theater directors I know, and we've proudly worked with him from my support of the early development of 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' through our work together on 'Peter and the Starcatcher.' Though we have chosen to go in another direction with this role, we are committed to seeing 'Frozen's' tremendous theatrical potential brought to life onstage."

Timbers is set to begin rehearsals at the Public Theater with Joan of Arc: Into The Fire, his second collaboration with Talking Heads' David Byrne. He also directs the current Broadway hit OH HELLO. Other Broadway credits include ROCKY, BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON and the Tony winning PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (which he co-directed with the late Roger Rees.) He is currently working with Baz Luhrmann on the stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge.

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