A recent Oscar winner may replace Sydney Sweeney in A24’s new movie The Masque of the Red Death by 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 filming Euphoria season 3.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mikey Madison is reportedly in talks to star in A24’s The 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 about The Masque of the Red Death. While Madison, known for her Oscar-winning performance in Anora, 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 in Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter and 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 Death seems to be the third exception for the actor. If a deal can be reached, the Anora star could become the 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

The Masque of the Red Death revolves 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 like Prince 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 a unique 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 Death now has a serious start date, which means more information may be coming soon.

Source: THR