A recent Oscar winner may replaceSydney Sweeneyin A24’s new movieThe Masque of the Red Deathby filmmaker Charlie Polinger. The new film is a reimagining of Edgar Allan Poe’s 1824 short story of the same name. Sweeney was previously attached to the project but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. She is currently filmingEuphoriaseason 3.
According toThe Hollywood Reporter,Mikey Madison is reportedly in talks to star in A24’sThe Masque of the Red Death, set to start production this year. The new A24 adaptation is positioned as"a quintessential A24 movie"with the potential of resonating among “the TikTok class” through memes and “eyebrow raising” scenes. Madison would reportedly play dual roles as a pair of long-lost twin sisters who enter a mad prince’s castle during a plague and into a depraved royal world.
What This Means For The Masque Of The Red Death
Mikey Madison Could Be The New Face Of A24’s New Movie
The new report also suggests a more concrete production window, pinning it around the end of this year and early next year. This indicates a slight delay in the filming window from previous reports, which claimed that the shooting would take place this year. It sounds like there’s still some uncertainty aboutThe Masque of the Red Death.While Madison, known forher Oscar-winning performance inAnora, could be a strong candidate for the project, it’s currently unclear which stage of negotiation she is in.
After her Oscar win, Madison has been in high demand, but the actor has remained selective on roles. She reportedly turned down a role inShawn Levy’sStar Wars: Starfighterand is currently only attached to Alejandro Landes Echavarria’s thriller,Reptilia, which tells a tale about a dental hygienist being seduced by a mermaid that also stars Kirsten Dunst.Red Deathseems to be the third exception for the actor. If a deal can be reached, theAnorastar could becomethe new face of A24’s Edgar Allan Poe reimagining.
Our Take On Mikey Madison’s Potential Casting For The Masque Of The Red Death
Mikey Madison’s Dual Role Suggests A Big Change From The Short Story
Actress Mikey Madison as Ani in Anora looking at Ivan with a slight smile on her face
The Masque of the Red Deathrevolves around a prince who tries to avoid the plague by hiding out and partying in his castle. Interestingly, Madison’s rumored role is not mentioned in the original story, which could indicate a refreshing new take on Poe’s short story. It also sounds likePrince Prospero, the original protagonist, might not take the main stage in the A24 adaptation. Instead, it could explore the world through the long-lost twin sisters as they enter the prince’s castle from the lower class, making it aunique A24 movie.
There’s currently a lot of mystery around the upcoming project, including how the big-screen adaptation will handle the mythical figure, the Red Death, but Madison’s potential involvement certainly makes the project sound more appealing. According to the most recent report,The Masque of the Red Deathnow has a serious start date, which means more information may be coming soon.
The Masque of the Red Death
Cast
A24’s upcoming film The Masque of the Red Death, directed by Charlie Polinger, offers a darkly comedic and revisionist take on Edgar Allan Poe’s classic tale.
