Mikey Madison has signed onto her first movie after winning an Academy Award for her performance in Anora. Demi Moore was widely expected to be named the Oscars’ Best Actress at this year’s awards, only for Madison to win instead. After Anora‘s five Academy Award wins and Madison walking away with Best Actress, there has been a great deal of speculation about what her next movie will be. She reportedly turned down a role in Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter movie starring Ryan Gosling.
According to Variety, Madison has now signed onto the thriller movie Reptilia alongside Kirsten Dunst. Reptilia tells the story of a mysterious mermaid who seduces a dental hygienist into the world of Florida’s exotic animal trade. It will be directed by Alejandro Landes Echavarría, whose 2019 movie Monos starring Julianne Nicholson won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award after debuting at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019. Reptilia‘s script is co-written by Landes Echavarría and Duke Merriman.
What This Means For Mikey Madison
She Has Chosen Her Post-Anora Trajectory
After winning Best Actress, Madison’s stardom is at an all-time high, and she naturally has many exciting opportunities before her. Many actors in her position would have accepted a role in Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter alongside Ryan Gosling, as it comes with the advantages of starring in a major franchise and studio blockbuster, and can open the door for similar opportunities. However, Madison has instead opted to star in a smaller movie helmed by a less well-known director.
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Madison’s past movies have seen her in standalone stories like Anora and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, but she has also been part of franchises with her roles in 2022’s Scream and 2019’s animated The Addams Family adaptation. She could have gone in either direction after winning an Academy Award, and while many would have chosen the path of franchises and studio blockbusters, she has chosen the other route. Featuring both Madison and Dunst is sure to give Reptilia more attention despite being a smaller movie.
Our Take On Mikey Madison Joining Reptilia
The Unique Movie Is An Exciting Next Step For Her
As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I would have been intrigued to see Madison join a galaxy far, far away. Based on the premise alone, Reptilia is still a compelling next movie for Madison, with a story that sounds far more bizarre than the plot of Anora. A dental hygienist, a mysterious mermaid, and Florida’s exotic animal trade are an unexpected combination, and I am fascinated to see how Madison, Dunst, and Landes Echavarría combine these concepts.
Source: Variety
