After securing an Oscar for her exceptional performance in "Anora," Mikey Madison has inked a deal to take the lead in "Reptilia," a distinctive and thrilling feature helmed by Alejandro Landes Echavarría. Joining her in this indie gem, backed by a formidable producing squad, is Kirsten Dunst. The producing team boasts Pastel (renowned for "Moonlight"), Imperative Entertainment (behind "Killers of the Flower Moon"), and AF Films, an international production house. Landes Echavarría is also producing the film under his A STELA CINE banner.
Financing for "Reptilia" is being provided by Black Bear, with the film poised for a sales debut at the Cannes Film Market, facilitated by Charades, UTA Independent Film Group, and 30West.
Penned by Landes Echavarría and Duke Merriman, the narrative unravels the tale of a dental hygienist, lured by a captivating mermaid into the shadowy, damp depths of Florida's exotic animal underworld. According to the announcement, principal photography is slated to commence in the fall.
Madison, who has already left an indelible mark in pivotal roles in films like "Scream 5" and Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," soared to unprecedented heights with "Anora," which garnered five Academy Awards and the Palme d'Or at Cannes the previous year. Alongside her Best Actress Oscar, Madison also clinched the BAFTA Award for Best Leading Actress and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance. She further received nominations for a Golden Globe, SAG Award, and Critics' Choice Award.
South American director Landes Echavarría previously directed "Monos," which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, winning the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award and the Best Film honor at the 2019 BFI London Film Festival. It was also Colombia's official submission for the Best International Feature category at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Dunst, who last starred in the dramatic thriller "Civil War" by A24 last year, will soon be seen in Derek Cianfrance's "Roofman," opposite Channing Tatum, and in Ruben Östlund's upcoming A24 feature, "The Entertainment System Is Down."
Madison is represented by UTA and Authentic Talent & Literary Management, while Dunst is managed by UTA, Entertainment 360, and Hansen Jacobson. Landes Echavarría is represented by UTA and Lichter, Grossman.
Imperative, founded by Dan Friedkin and Bradley Thomas, was recently behind Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon," which garnered ten Oscar nominations. Their next project is "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey," starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, set for release by Sony in September. Pastel, founded by Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski, and Mark Ceryak, is a filmmaker-centric banner that continues to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.
