(Photo by Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Oscar-winner Mikey Madison is stepping into a major new role that was once earmarked for Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney. The actress, who recently took home the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Anora, is now set to lead A24’s upcoming adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death.
As reported by ComingSoon, Madison will take over the part originally slated for Sweeney, who exited the project due to scheduling conflicts. The film will be directed by Charlie Polinger, who made a splash with his debut feature The Plague, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last month.
The upcoming film is a reimagining of Poe’s classic tale and will follow the story of a long-lost twin—played by Madison—who enters the castle of a deranged prince while a deadly plague devastates the kingdom. According to early plot details, the character’s arrival sets off a chain of events filled with “power schemes, revenge, drugs, intimacy and decapitations.”
Madison is reportedly in talks to play not just one, but both twin sisters in the film, adding another layer of complexity to the already intense narrative. Production on the project is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.
Though Sweeney has generated massive buzz for her work on Euphoria and other projects, Mikey Madison’s star is clearly on the rise following her critically acclaimed performance in Anora. Her win at the Oscars for Best Actress has positioned her as one of the most sought-after talents in Hollywood.
Madison has also previously appeared in high-profile projects including Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, FX’s Better Things, and 2022’s Scream, where she brought memorable performances to each role.
With A24’s track record for bold, artistic filmmaking and Madison’s growing acclaim, The Masque of the Red Death promises to be a visually and emotionally intense adaptation of Poe’s gothic masterpiece. And with the shift in casting, fans are now eager to see what Madison brings to this dark and layered story.
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