Mikey Madison may have found her first post-Oscar project: “Reptilia.” The “Anora” Best Actress winner will co-star alongside Kirsten Dunst in the latest film from director Alejandro Landes Echavarría (“Monos”), which will be presented to buyers at the Cannes Film Market beginning next week.
The film will be produced by Barry Jenkins’ Pastel, along with Imperative Entertainment, AF Films, and Black Bear, who is providing financing. Landes Echavarría will also produce under his A Stela Cine banner.
“Reptilia” is about “a dental hygienist who is seduced by a mysterious mermaid into the dark and wet underworld of Florida’s exotic animal trade.” Landes Echavarría co-wrote the script with Duke Merriman.
Principal photography is expected to begin this fall.
UTA Independent Film Group and 30WEST will co-handle US sales rights at Cannes, while Charades will handle international sales rights.
This is Dunst’s return to the state of Florida after starring in series “On Becoming A God In Central Florida.” Dunst will next appear in Derek Cianfrance’s “Roofman” opposite Channing Tatum, and in Ruben Östlund’s upcoming A24 feature “The Entertainment System Is Down.”
Landes Echavarría first directed documentary “Cocalero” before making his narrative debut with “Porfirio,” which premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2011. His film “Monos” premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award and later went on to win the award for Best Film at the 2019 BFI London Film Festival. The film was selected as the official Colombian Oscar submission that year. Landes Echavarría is an alum of the Sundance Writers and Directors Labs and the Cannes Cinéfondation.
Madison was rumored to be offered a role alongside Ryan Gosling in the latest “Star Wars” installment. She also was believed to be in talks for Luca Guadagnino’s now-shelved DC Studios Film “Sgt. Rock.” The actress has voiced her desire to collaborate with prolific auteur Guadagnino soon.
Madison is represented by UTA and Authentic Talent & Literary Management. Landes Echavarría is represented by UTA and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark. Dunst is represented by UTA, Entertainment 360, and Hansen Jacobson.
