Mikey Madison Nears Lead Role Replacing Sydney Sweeney in A24's Masque of Red Death

Mikey Madison is set to replace Sydney Sweeney as the lead in A24's upcoming film adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's The Masque of the Red Death, directed by Charlie Polinger. Madison will portray twin sisters separated by class, with one living in luxury inside a prince's castle and the other surviving among the lower classes during a devastating plague; their reunion triggers a dramatic unraveling within the castle's decadent world. Sweeney exited the project due to scheduling conflicts, likely related to her commitments to Euphoria, Gundam, and a new video game adaptation. The film promises a dark, revisionist take featuring themes of opulence, revenge, and power games, fitting A24's distinctive style and appealing to a younger, social media-savvy audience. Production is expected to begin late 2025 or early 2026. This project marks Madison's first major role since winning an Oscar for Anora and follows her selective approach to roles, including passing on a villainous part in Star Wars: Starfighter.