Mikey Madison may be lining up her next major role following her Oscar-winning turn in Anora. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Madison is in talks to lead A24’s upcoming adaptation of The Masque of the Red Death, a bold reimagining of the Edgar Allan Poe classic from director Charlie Polinger.
The project, produced by Picturestart and set for worldwide distribution through A24, has already generated significant interest in casting circles — especially with the news that Madison would be stepping into a role originally earmarked for Sydney Sweeney. Sweeney exited the project due to scheduling conflicts, as she’s currently filming Euphoria and is set to star in Legendary’s Gundam adaptation later this year.
If the deal closes, Madison would play dual roles as twin sisters in a story centered around a mad prince who shelters the nobility in his lavish castle while a deadly plague ravages the outside world. One of the twins, hidden among the lower classes, infiltrates the castle, leading to a swirl of excess, power plays, vengeance, and violent spectacle.
Sources say the film is aiming to start production late this year or early next. And while little else is confirmed, insiders suggest this could become another quintessential A24 project — potentially filled with the kind of provocative, visually charged moments that dominate social media conversations.
Madison has been the subject of casting speculation ever since her breakout at Cannes in 2024. Since then, she’s remained highly selective, fielding offers while keeping a low profile. She briefly circled a villain role in Starfighter, a Star Wars project, but talks reportedly fell apart over compensation. She was also attached to Reptilia, a dark romance about a dental hygienist and a mermaid.
With Masque of the Red Death, she could be returning to the screen in a major way — and in a double role no less.
Madison won the Academy Award and BAFTA for Best Actress for Anora, which also took home the Oscar for Best Picture. Her past credits include Scream (2022) and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. She is represented by UTA, Authentic Talent, and Sloane Offer.
