Emma Stone shines at BAFTA ahead of a stylish return as Disney’s Cruella

Emma Stone is making headlines on two fronts: dazzling the fashion world at the 2026 BAFTAs while fueling speculation over a potential return to one of her most iconic roles.

On February 22, 2026, the 37-year-old actress attended the EE British Academy Film Awards in London wearing a sleek, custom black Louis Vuitton gown. The halter-style dress featured a daring chest cutout and a floor-length train, perfectly paired with diamond studs and a matching bracelet.

Stone’s appearance coincided with her nomination for Best Actress for her performance in the dark comedy thriller Bugonia, directed by long-time collaborator Yorgos Lanthimos. This marks her sixth BAFTA nod and continues a career streak that includes two Academy Awards for La La Land (2017) and Poor Things (2023).

While her red-carpet presence reinforced her status as a style icon, behind the scenes, fans and industry insiders are abuzz with news of a potential Cruella 2. The Disney sequel, which would see Stone reprise her role as the fashion-forward villain, has long been in development. According to insiders, “Odds are good, the creatives and talent want to do it, the studio wants to do it, and it is all about getting the script and scheduling right.” Stone herself has expressed enthusiasm for returning to the role, calling it “a blast” at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Awards.

The original Cruella (2021) was a commercial success, with a 97 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and strong Disney+ streaming performance. Disney has not yet confirmed production dates, but sources indicate movement behind the scenes, suggesting filming could begin within the next couple of years.

Stone’s current projects reflect a carefully curated blend of mainstream appeal and challenging roles. In Bugonia, she tackles a gender-flipped lead in a darkly absurd thriller, highlighting her continued collaboration with Lanthimos, which also includes Poor Things, Bleat, and The Favourite. “The more challenging it gets, the more I like it,” she told Vogue in 2025, emphasizing her commitment to growth in both performance and career choices.

With a possible return as Disney’s antiheroine on the horizon and an awards-season campaign in full swing, Emma Stone’s dual impact; on-screen and on the red carpet, cements her as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and enduring stars.