Soon after the first Cruella trailer was released, "Disney's Joker" began trending on social media. In the upcoming movie from director Craig Gillespie, Stone portrays a younger version of the animated antagonist from the 1961 movie One Hundred and One Dalmations. Delving into the origin story of the dastardly character is in many ways reminiscent of what Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix did with Joker, and the phrase "Disney's Joker" appears to be the most common reaction to the Cruella trailer.
"This is basically Disney's Joker," one fan puts it bluntly on Twitter, echoing thousands of other tweets in response to seeing Emma Stone in her black and white Cruella De Ville wig.
This is basically Disney’s Joker https://t.co/nHW4RhSRoz
— Greysun Morales (@GreysunMorales) February 17, 2021
I was definitely not expecting this to be Disney's Joker, but honestly, I'm here for it," explains another fan. "I think Emma Stone will own the role of Cruella, and I liked some of the visuals for this trailer. Craig Gillespie feels perfect for this story."
I was definitely not expecting this to be Disney's Joker, but honestly, I'm here for it. I think Emma Stone will own the role of Cruella, and I liked some of the visuals for this trailer. Craig Gillespie feels perfect for this story. https://t.co/mVvHN605P1
— Will Martinez 😷 (@willmovies) February 17, 2021
"Finally... Disney's Joker," jokes another fan, including a meme to stress the similarities between the two movies.
Finally... Disney's Joker pic.twitter.com/Fjg2Y2nUQa
— Munkhey (@MNetwork0) February 17, 2021
Says another fan, "I see Disney's Joker trending & all I can say is, if the movie ends up being as good as the Joker film, then good. Hope it does well & can't wait to see Emma's performance as Cruella."
i see Disney's Joker trending & all I can say is, if the movie ends up being as good as the Joker film, then good. Hope it does well & can't wait to see Emma's performance as Cruella. https://t.co/CgLOh6SB9O
— JFS (@JoseFSa55876365) February 17, 2021
While a Joker-like premise has some fans intrigued, others aren't so thrilled about the idea. One Disney fan writes, "I'm willing to give #Cruella a LITTLE bit of grace for at least having a cool aesthetic but it really does feel like Disney's Joker and also they're trying to turn a woman whose primary motivation is PUPPY MURDER into a girlboss so uh."
I'm willing to give #Cruella a LITTLE bit of grace for at least having a cool aesthetic but it really does feel like Disney's Joker and also they're trying to turn a woman whose primary motivation is PUPPY MURDER into a girlboss so uh
— Zo, Local Menace || BLM (@weaverzozo) February 17, 2021
Along with the Joker comparisons, the Cruella trailer is reminding other DC fans of Harley Quinn. In addition to serving as a strong female character, the comparisons are also due to the red, white, and black colors Cruella adorns in the trailer footage. However, a lot of Harley fans don't seem to appreciate these comparisons as much, feeling that the the Birds of Prey character would be appalled by Cruella's mistreatment of dogs.
As one tweet puts it, "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."
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.
— Claudia Boleyn BA 🌹Socialist🌹🇮🇳+🏴 (@ClaudiaBoleyn) February 17, 2021
And another Harley fan laments, "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 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
— A Deer 🦌🌻 | Komaeda Simp (@Frankendeer) February 17, 2021
Cruella is set in 1970s London, starring Stone as young fashion designer Estella de Vil. An origin story, the movie details how she becomes obsessed with dogs' skins, especially Dalmations, until she eventually beocmces a ruthless and terrifying legend known as Cruella. Along with Stone, the movie also stars Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, and Emily Beecham. Craig Gillespie directs using a screenplay from Dana Fox and Tony McNamara.
However people might fel about the comparisons to Joker and Harley Quinn, in any case, the Cruella trailer is certainly getting a lot of people talking. We'll all be able to see how close the movie really feels to Joker or Birds of Prey when it is released in theaters on May 28.