Jenna Ortega will star in acclaimed French filmmaker Leos Carax’s upcoming movie ‘Lily May B,’ a post-apocalyptic road film announced at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
Production begins in Spring 2027. This marks Carax’s first movie since 2021’s ‘Annette,’ which won him the Best Director award at Cannes. The film brings together the ‘Wednesday’ star with the visionary French director for the first time.
A Dystopian Road Movie With a Mysterious Story
The movie’s plot description is cryptic. The official synopsis says:
“Once upon a time, there was a little girl, a young woman and a young boy. They each held a secret too heavy to bear. They met in an end-of-the-world world, and together rode a big motorcycle through empty cities, deserted freeways, immemorial forests. On their journey, they encountered many dangers, but kept going. In search of who they were; in search of a place to B, maybe?”
Carax, known for cult classics like ‘Holy Motors’ and ‘Les Amants du Pont-Neuf,’ gave his own mysterious statement about the project. He said, “Once upon a time, this is what destroyed us, and this is what kept us alive.”
The story follows a trio—a little girl, a young woman, and a young boy—traveling through empty cities and forests on a motorcycle. The film blends dystopian and surreal elements, staying true to Carax’s signature dreamlike visual style.
Jenna Ortega’s Growing Movie Career
The 22-year-old actor continues to build an impressive filmography. Ortega rose to global fame playing the title role in Netflix’s ‘Wednesday,’ a show that became a massive hit worldwide. She recently appeared in Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ and has starred in the ‘Scream’ franchise.
This role shows Ortega moving further into art-house cinema. She already starred in the 2026 Sundance film ‘The Gallerist’ opposite Natalie Portman. For Ortega, working with Carax offers a chance to work with a director known for bold, unconventional filmmaking.
The actor’s popularity, especially in countries like India, grew significantly after ‘Wednesday.’ In a past interview, Ortega talked about her show’s success, saying it was unexpected and something she remains grateful for.
Production Details and Release Timeline
French producer Hugo Selignac of Chi-Fou-Mi Productions (a Mediawan banner) will produce the film. Selignac’s company is having a strong presence at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival with five films, including the Palme d’Or contender ‘Garance.’
Selignac shared his excitement about working with Carax.
“To me, Leos Carax is one of the reasons I fell in love with Cinema. Having the chance to embark on this first journey alongside him means a great deal to me. ‘Lily May B’ carries forward his singular vision with the freedom, raw emotion, and visual power that are uniquely his. Seeing this universe meet Jenna Ortega’s immense talent today feels simply natural.”
‘Lily May B’ will be Carax’s seventh feature film. His last movie, ‘Annette,’ starred Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard and opened the Cannes Film Festival in 2021. That musical romance earned Carax the Best Director prize at Cannes and later a César Award for Best Director in 2022.
Who Else Will Join the Cast
The remaining cast members for ‘Lily May B’ will be announced in September 2026. Producers have teased that an “extraordinary cast” will join Ortega, but no other names have been confirmed yet.
The film has no official release date. With filming starting in Spring 2027, the movie likely will not arrive in theaters until late 2027 or 2028.
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What This Means for Ortega’s Career
For Ortega, ‘Lily May B’ represents another step into unique, director-driven projects. After starting with horror franchises like ‘Scream’ and ‘The Babysitter,’ she has worked with major directors like Tim Burton and now Leos Carax. This move fits a pattern of young stars seeking out respected art-house directors to grow as performers.
The project also continues Carax’s pattern of working with major Hollywood stars. Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard led ‘Annette,’ and now Ortega takes the lead in his next vision. Fans of both Ortega and Carax will watch closely as more details about this mysterious road movie emerge.
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