‘Reptilia’: Mikey Madison & Kirsten Dunst Cast In Florida-Set Exotic Animal Trade Thriller

Actress Mikey Madison is riding high after her awards season for the fantastic breakout Oscar-winning performance in Sean Baker‘s “Anora” and has lined up quite the fascinating genre-bending project with “Reptilia.” A Florida-set exotic animal trade thriller that sees Madison co-starring opposite Kirsten Dunst.

The news hails from Variety, which adds that the feature will be directed by Alejandro Landes Echavarría, who has a script co-written by the filmmaker and Duke Merriman.

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One of the big hooks of “Reptilia” is that there is a mermaid involved in the story, suggesting either a fantasy or psychological angle going on, “The thriller tells the story of a dental hygienist who is seduced by a mysterious mermaid into the dark and wet underworld of Florida’s exotic animal trade.”

Imperative Entertainment, Pastel, and AF Films are set to produce “Reptilia,” alongside Landes Echavarría under his A Stela Cine production banner, with Black Bear providing financing on the pic, as well. UTA Independent Film Group and 30West will co-handle U.S. distribution rights as the film will be introduced to potential international buyers at the Cannes Film Market by Charades.

Dunst has been killing it lately with roles in projects such as the acclaimed “Fargo” series. She landed a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for Jane Campion‘s “Power of The Dog,” led last year’s “Civil War” from Alex Garland with features such as “Roofman” and Ruben Östlund‘s next effort “The Entertainment System Is Down.”

If the name isn’t familiar, Landes Echavarría previously worked with NEON on the visually stunning hostage drama “Monos.”

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We should be in store for something special with “Reptilia” and can’t wait to see who else ends up joining the cast as filming is set to start sometime in the fall.