Mikey Madison has landed another buzzy project after nabbing the Oscar for her performance in “Anora.” The actor is in talks to lead A24 and Picturestart’s “The Masque of the Red Death,” writer/director Charlie Polinger’s wildly revisionist take on the short story of the same name by Edgar Allen Poe.
Madison replaces Sydney Sweeney, who sources say dropped from the project due to scheduling conflicts. Polinger and Lucy McKendrick will executive produce. A24 has acquired worldwide distribution rights for the film.
Polinger is currently in post-production on his film “The Plague,” which was made independently and stars Joel Edgerton. He is represented by UTA and Anonymous Content.
Madison will next star in “Reptilia” alongside Kirsten Dunst. The thriller tells the story of a dental hygienist who is seduced by a mysterious mermaid into the dark and wet underworld of Florida’s exotic animal trade. Alejandro Landes Echavarría, the filmmaker behind the hallucinatory hostage drama “Monos,” will direct the feature.
Prior to landing the title role in Sean Baker’s “Anora” (which also earned her a BAFTA and Independent Spirit Award), Madison starred in “Scream 5” and appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” She was also part of the ensemble on FX’s “Better Things.”
Madison has been in high demand after her Oscar win, and turned down a role in the new, untitled “Star Wars” movie directed by “Deadpool & Wolverine” filmmaker Shawn Levy.
Madison is represented by UTA and Authentic Talent & Literary Management.
The Hollywood Reporter was first to report Madison’s casting.