Sydney Sweeney is reportedly in talks to star in The Masque of the Red Death, “a wildly revisionist and darkly comedic” adaptation of the Edgar Allen Poe short story of the same name, Deadline reveals today.
A24 is said to be handling domestic distribution, with Charlie Polinger (Fuck Me, Richard, Austin, the upcoming The Plague) set to direct. Polinger will also executive produce the pic along with Lucy McKendrick.
First published in 1842, Poe's short The Masque of the Red Death follows a prices attempts to avoid a dangerous plague, known as the Red Death, by hiding in his abbey. Deadline note that plot details for Polinger's version are currently still under wraps.
The story has been adapted a number of times before, notably Roger Corman's 1964 version starring Vincent Price, and Larry Band's 1989 remake.
Sweeney earned her genre chops by starring in 2021's The Voyeurs and last year's bloody religious horror Immaculate. She's also set to headline Paul Feig's upcoming domestic thriller The Housemaid alongside Amanda Seyfried
Needless to say, we'll be watching this rendition ofThe Masque of the Red Death very closely, and will bring you updates as they roll in.
