What’s Sean Baker have in store for audiences next? Variety has the scoop there, reporting that the “Red Rocket” director teams up with FilmNation Entertainment again for his upcoming film “Anora.” And the movie is already in post-production, although plot details remain under wraps. As for who stars in Baker’s latest, there’s one confirmed name: Mikey Madison, who audiences will recognize from “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood…” and “Scream 5.”
Baker shot his upcoming film in Brooklyn earlier this year. Other cast besides Madison includes Mark Eydelshteyn, Yuriy Borisov, Karren Karagulian, and Vache Tovmasyan. Baker, Samantha Quan, and Alex Coco co-produce the picture. Drew Daniels returns as Baker’s cinematographer after shooting “Red Rocket.”
“Making an independent film is never easy no matter how many you have under your belt!” Baker said in press statement for “Anora.” “I feel so fortunate to have been given the resources and support to fulfill my vision in an uncompromised way. Thank you to my collaborators including Glen Basner and the FilmNation team, my incredible cast, crew and producers, and to the city of New York for providing a rich cinematic backdrop for our story. I look forward to sharing this with filmgoers around the world next year.”
As for FilmNation CEO Basner, he had this to say about Baker’s latest: “Sean Baker is an American master unafraid to shine a light on the characters that have been left behind by American cinema. Working with Sean and his producers, Samantha and Alex, is always a thrilling and inspiring experience, and we can’t wait for audiences to get to meet “Anora.””
All eyes will be on “Anora” when it likely hits a festival next year after Baker’s previous three films did so well critically. “Red Rocket” had a highly successful world premieres at Cannes two years ago, with 2017’s “The Florida Project” also premiering on the Croisette. Willem Dafoe earned an Oscar Best Supporting Actor nod for his performance in that one. 2015’s “Tangerine” premiered at Sundance that year and won an Independent Spirt Award and two Gotham Awards.
All that acclaim points at a potentially star-making turn for Madison. Beyond “Scream 5” and Quentin Tarantino‘s 2019 film, the actress’ other recent work include FX‘s “Better Things” with Pamela Adlon. Upcoming projects for Madison include the Apple TV+ limited series “Lady In The Lake” with Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram and “All Souls,” a feature about a young informant forced to work with the police in a dangerous undercover operation.
Expect more news about “Anora” soon, and don’t be surprised if this one premieres at either Sundance or Cannes next year.
