BAFTA-winning actress Emma Mackey, known for her role in ‘Barbie’ & ‘Sex Education’ is the recent addition to J.J. Abrams’ untitled new film at Warner Bros. The actress joins Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega.

Abrams’ production company, Bad Robot, will produce his original project. All character and plot details remain secretive.

Mackey, who won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2023, is fresh off her performance in Greta Gerwig’s Oscar-winning ‘Barbie.’ She previously portrayed the iconic writer Emily Brontë in Warner Bros.' drama ‘Emily,’ directed by Frances O’Connor. Mackey first gained widespread attention for her role as Maeve Wiley in Netflix’s ‘Sex Education’ and also appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Death on the Nile.’

Mackey’s co-star Glen Powell is known for his standout roles in both film and television, gaining widespread recognition for his portrayal of aviator Lt. Jake "Hangman" Seresin in the 2022 blockbuster ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ a performance that solidified his status as a rising star in Hollywood.

Jenna Ortega has rapidly gained prominence for her versatile performances across film and television, achieving widespread fame for her portrayal of Wednesday Addams in Netflix's hit series ‘Wednesday,’ a role that earned her critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. Ortega is also known for her roles in the ‘Scream’ film franchise, where she became a modern "scream queen" with standout performances in ‘Scream’ (2022) and ‘Scream VI’ (2023). Earlier in her career, she starred in Disney Channel's ‘Stuck in the Middle’ and has since taken on more mature roles in projects like ‘The Fallout.’ Ortega has become one of Hollywood’s most in-demand young talents, and the biggest name on this roster.

This will be Abrams’ first directorial effort since 2019’s ‘Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.’ Recently, he produced the Amazon MGM documentary ‘The Blue Angels.’ Bad Robot’s upcoming projects include the David Robert Mitchell film ‘Flowervale Street’ and the series ‘Duster’ for Max. The production company is also in talks to renew its partnership with Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. is currently engaged in several high-profile projects, including the adaptation of ‘Wuthering Heights’ from Emerald Fennell and early development on a ‘Game of Thrones’ film. They are also working on an animated feature based on ‘Emily the Strange.’ Upcoming releases from the studio include ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,’ set to debut on December 13.

MORE NEWS