Mikey Madisonis in negotiations to star in one ofEdgar Allan Poe’s most chilling tales. TheAnoraOscar-winner is in talks to star in a reimagining ofThe Masque of the Red Death, Poe’s 1842 tale of decadence, disease, and decay. The dual role was previously set to be played by Madison’sOnce Upon a Time In HollywoodcastmateSydney Sweeney, who has left the project.The Hollywood Reportersays that the film is due to shoot late this year or early next year.
In the film, Madison would play a pair of twin sisters. One is a princess who retreats with the rest of the aristocracy into a mad prince’s castle, while a devastating plague, the Red Death, devastates the countryside. The other twin is hidden among the lower classes, and sees firsthand how the Red Death (which makes its victims agonizingly bleed from every orifice before they succumb) has decimated the populace; however, she finds her way into the castle as well, and sees firsthand the grotesquerie of the ruling class, including orgies, opium, and executions. The film will be distributed byA24, and is being described as a “quintessential A24 film” with “eyebrow-raising, meme-able scenes that should resonate among the TikTok class.” Sweeney dropped out of the project due to scheduling issues; unsurprising, given the packed lineup of upcoming films on her plate, includingGundam,Split Fiction, andBarbarella. Madison, meanwhile, has kept a low profile since her Best Actress win earlier this year, but is slated to star withKirsten DunstinReptilia, a surreal mermaid thriller.
What Is ‘The Masque of the Red Death’ About?
Set in the Middle Ages, Poe’s tale centers around Prince Prospero, a carefree aristocrat who has taken one thousand nobles into the stone walls of his castle to wile away the days with balls and revelry while the Red Death ravages the land. Months into their seclusion, he stages a masquerade ball for his guests, only to discover that an unknown guest, garbed in a gruesome, ghastly costume, walks among them. In the end, there is truly no escape from the Red Death. The short story is one of Poe’s most famous tales, and has been adapted a number of times for the screen. Most famously,Roger Cormanadapted it in 1964 as one of his Poe adaptations for American International Pictures;Vincent Pricestars as the Satan-worshipping Prince Prospero. It also served as one of the inspirations forMike Flanagan’s Poe-themed horror miniseriesThe Fall of the House of Usher.
A24’sThe Masque of the Red Deathwill be written and directed byCharlie Polinger, who made his feature directorial debut this year withThe Plague. He will also executive produce the film with frequent collaboratorLucy McKendrick.
The Masque of the Red Deathwill shoot either later this year or early next year;no release date has yet been announced. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
