Sydney Sweeney in ‘Euphoria.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.
Preview:
- Sydney Sweeney will star in ‘The Masque of the Red Death.’
- It’ll loosely adapt the Edgar Allen Poe short story.
- Charlie Polinger is in the director’s chair.
Edgar Allen Poe is one of those writers whose work pops up time and again as source fodder for filmmakers and TV types.
In 2023, we had Mike Flanagan putting his own spin on various Poe tales for Netflix limited series ‘The Fall of the House of Usher.’
And if all comes together for A24’s new planned production, Poe’s short story ‘The Masque of the Red Death’ could be headed to cinemas.
The production company is partnering with Picturestart to back the new effort, and they have rising star Sydney Sweeney –– who already proved her horror thriller chops with ‘Immaculate’ –– in negotiations to star.
Related Article: Sydney Sweeney Talks ‘Immaculate’ and Why She Loves Horror Movies
What’s the story of ‘The Masque Of The Red Death’?
Sydney Sweeney in ‘Immaculate.’ Photo: Neon.
The story follows Prince Prospero’s attempts to avoid a dangerous plague, known as the Red Death, which has brought gruesome symptoms sweeping over the land. Victims are overcome by sharp pains, sudden dizziness, and profuse bleeding at the pores, and die within half an hour.
Prospero and some friends decide to wait the plague out in his abbey. He, along with many other wealthy nobles, hosts a masquerade ball in seven rooms of the abbey, each decorated with a different color. In the midst of their revelry, a mysterious figure disguised as a Red Death victim enters and makes his way through each of the rooms.
And here we get into spoilers for those who haven’t read the story…
Prospero dies after confronting this stranger, whose “costume” proves to contain nothing tangible inside it. The guests also die in turn.
Yep, sounds like the basis for a knockabout comedy if ever we heard one!
Yet according to Deadline’s story on Sweeney’s entering negotiations, the plan is for something wildly revisionist and darkly comic, so we could see something more along the lines of Flannigan’s ambitious and impressive Poe opus.
It’s not yet known how the story will be tweaked for the new movie.
Who is working on ‘The Masque Of The Red Death’?
Sydney Sweeney talks ‘Immaculate.’
Charlie Polinger is aboard to write and direct the new movie.
The playwright-turned-filmmaker has another movie called ‘The Plague’ due in theaters at some point, though it doesn’t appear to share a theme with the Poe story despite its title.
Featuring the likes of Joel Edgerton and Everett Blunck in its cast, it’s reportedly about a socially awkward tween who endures the ruthless hierarchy at a water polo camp, his anxiety spiraling into psychological turmoil over the summer.
Polinger’s back catalogue includes short films such as ‘Sauna,’ ‘A Place to Stay,’ ‘Good People’ and the upcoming ‘Hiawatha.’
He’s aiming to shoot ‘The Masque Of The Red Death’ this year.
What else is Sydney Sweeney working on?
(L to R) Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney in ‘Anyone But You. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
Sweeney has a busy schedule as is usual for an in-demand performer.
2024 included the continued success of hit rom-com ‘Anyone But You’ opposite fellow rising star Glen Powell and the aforementioned Neon horror thriller ‘Immaculate.’
She followed those up with one that she might wish to vanish from her resume, misfiring Spider-Man spin-off ‘Madame Web.’
The actor also shot the Ron Howard-directed thriller ‘Eden’ about a society of people who opt to start a new life in the Galapagos islands, only for things to wrong. That one should be in theaters this year.
She is currently filming the Lionsgate adaptation of the novel ‘The Housemaid,’ which has Paul Feige in the director’s chair, and has worked on two other movies, ‘Echo Valley’ about a woman (played by Julianne Moore) whose life is turned upside down when her daughter (Sweeney) shows up covered in someone else’s blood, and a biopic of real-life boxer Christy Martin, with Sweeney in the lead role.
Still to come is a starring role in Colman Domingo’s film ‘Scandalous,’ which will see her playing Kim Novak in the story of the actor’s controversial relationship with Sammy Davis Jr. (played by ‘Alien: Romulus’ David Jonsson).
And that list doesn’t even include the potential movies to which she is attached: that list includes a remake of sci-fi comedy ‘Barbarella,’ thriller ‘The Caretaker’ and a drama called ‘The Registration.’
Finally, we have HBO series ‘Euphoria,’ whose much-delayed third season should finally kick off filming this year for a 2026 release.
Here’s what she told Cosmopolitan about the show’s return:
“We did have a long time between season one and season two, but especially now with the time jump, it’s a new process for me. I’m kind of just learning as I go and being open for whatever’s to come. But I’m also really excited. I love Cassie. She is always such a thrilling character to play, so I’m really looking forward to what’s gonna happen in her life.”
Sydney Sweeney in ‘Euphoria.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.
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