The halls of Prince Prospero’s secluded abbey are getting a lot more crowded—and significantly more prestigious. According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Léa Seydoux has officially joined the cast of A24’s upcoming reimagining of The Masque of the Red Death. Seydoux will star alongside the previously announced Mikey Madison in what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated prestige horror projects of 2026.
A Powerhouse Duo for the Gothic Age
The addition of Léa Seydoux to the roster signals a massive win for director Charlie Polinger. Seydoux, a veteran of both high-octane franchises (No Time to Die) and boundary-pushing genre fare (David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future), brings an enigmatic, ethereal quality to every frame she occupies. Pairing her with Mikey Madison—who has quickly become a modern horror icon following her explosive turns in Scream (2022) and Sean Baker's Anora—suggests a film that will lean heavily into complex, female-driven dynamics.
While specific character details for Seydoux and Madison are currently being kept under wraps by the studio, the source material offers plenty of room for speculation. In Poe's original 1842 short story, the narrative centers on Prince Prospero’s attempts to avoid a dangerous plague, known as the Red Death, by hiding in his abbey with a group of wealthy nobles. With A24 at the helm, we can likely expect a subversion of these roles, perhaps shifting the focus away from a male lead toward a more claustrophobic, psychological exploration of the two women trapped within the abbey’s walls.
The A24 Touch and the Poe Renaissance
This news comes at a time when Edgar Allan Poe’s work is experiencing a significant cinematic renaissance. Following the massive success of Mike Flanagan’s The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix, audiences are clearly hungry for the macabre, gothic sensibilities that Poe pioneered. However, where Flanagan opted for a sprawling, modern-day family epic, Polinger’s vision for The Masque of the Red Death is expected to be a more contained, atmospheric feature film that leans into A24's signature "elevated horror" aesthetic.
Charlie Polinger, making a significant leap into the studio spotlight with this project, has reportedly been developing a script that honors the original’s dread-filled pacing while injecting contemporary themes of class warfare and isolation. Given A24's history with masterpieces like The Witch and Hereditary, they are the ideal partner to translate Poe's vivid descriptions of the seven colored rooms and the ticking ebony clock into a visual feast for the eyes.
What We Know About Production
Production is rumored to begin later this year, with a focus on capturing the lush, decaying opulence required for Prospero’s masquerade ball. The industry is already buzzing about the potential for award-season recognition, especially with a cast of this caliber. Seydoux’s involvement likely points toward an international co-production vibe, which could mean some stunning European location shooting is on the horizon.
As we move further into 2026, the horror landscape continues to thrive on literary adaptations that dare to be different. The Masque of the Red Death isn't just a story about a plague; it's a story about the arrogance of the elite and the inevitability of mortality. With Madison and Seydoux leading the charge, we might be looking at the definitive screen version of this chilling tale. Stay tuned to ScreamDesk as we continue to track this developing story.