Full Breakdown
Jenna Ortega to Lead Leos Carax's Dystopian Road Film *Lily May B*
5/21/2026, 1:05:30 PM
Core Announcement: Ortega Cast in Carax's Dystopian Road Film
Jenna Ortega was announced as the lead in Leos Carax’s seventh feature, *Lily May B*, a surreal dystopian road movie. Production is slated for a spring 2027 shoot. The film is produced by Hugo Sélignac at Chi-Fou-Mi Productions (Mediawan). The remainder of the cast will be revealed in September.
Background & Context: Carax’s Auteur Legacy and Ortega’s Career Shift
Leos Carax is a French director whose cult classics include *Holy Motors*, *Les Amants du Pont-Neuf*, *Boy Meets Girl* (1984) and *Pola X*. His most recent Cannes appearance was the 2021 premiere of *Annette*, which earned him the festival’s Best Director prize. *Lily May B* will be his first feature since *Annette* and his seventh overall.
Jenna Ortega rose to global prominence with Netflix’s *Wednesday* and the *Scream* franchise. She has increasingly pursued arthouse projects, most recently starring opposite Natalie Portman in the Sundance-premiered *The Gallerist*. Ortega’s recent Sundance appearance was in *The Gallerist*, where she co-starred with Natalie Portman. Her upcoming slate includes the sci-fi drama *Klara and the Sun* and a continuation of *Wednesday*.
Production Details & Timeline
The project is produced by Hugo Sélignac, whose credits include *Beating Hearts* and *All Your Faces*. Production company: Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, a Mediawan banner. Shooting is scheduled for spring 2027. A full cast announcement is planned for September 2026. Ortega is represented by CAA, Jeff Hynick, and Viewpoint. The project was unveiled at Cannes 2026 as part of Chi-Fou-Mi’s slate of five films presented at the market.
Official Statements & Responses
Leos Carax described the film as a story about destruction and survival, emphasizing its dreamlike aesthetic. Hugo Sélignac expressed personal admiration for Carax and highlighted the film’s continuation of Carax’s visual and emotional style, noting the natural fit of Ortega’s talent with the director’s vision.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Once upon a time, this is what destroyed us, and this is what kept us alive.” — Leos Carax, Director
- “To me, Leos Carax is one of the reasons I fell in love with Cinema,” — Hugo Sélignac, Producer
- “Having the chance to embark on this first journey alongside him means a great deal to me.” — Hugo Sélignac, Producer
- “‘Lily May B’ carries forward his singular vision with the freedom, raw emotion, and visual power that are uniquely his.” — Hugo Sélignac, Producer
- “Seeing this universe meet Jenna Ortega’s immense talent today feels simply natural.” — Hugo Sélignac, Producer
What’s Next
After the September cast reveal, production will proceed toward the planned spring 2027 shoot. Ortega’s involvement is slated alongside her upcoming projects, including the Netflix series continuation of *Wednesday* and the sci-fi drama *Klara and the Sun*.
