Wednesday's Jenna Ortega bags totally different role in 'extraordinary' new film

Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega has been cast in the lead role of Leos Carax's forthcoming film Lily May B.

The 23-year-old, also recognised for her appearances in the Scream franchise and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, has become a firm favourite amongst Netflix viewers for her portrayal of the darkly compelling teenager Wednesday Addams in the Tim Burton-directed hit series.

Her latest venture marks a daring new chapter for the A-lister, with her new director celebrated for his ambitious and thought-provoking works, including Annette and Holy Motors.

The synopsis for Lily May B reads: "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?"

Director Carax offered a cryptic statement via Deadline: "Once upon a time, this is what destroyed us, and this is what kept us alive."

The complete cast will be unveiled in September, ahead of filming commencing next spring.

Hugo Sélignac is producing the picture alongside Mediawan production company Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, stating: "Leos Carax is one of the reasons I fell in love with Cinema.

"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. We will announce in September the whole extraordinary cast."

Carax's preceding film Annette, which starred Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard and featured original songs by pop duo Sparks, earned him the Best Director accolade at the Cannes Film Festival.

Ortega's latest role comes off the back of a recent appearance on Kid Cudi's Big Bro podcast, where she confessed she nearly "called it quits" before securing her breakthrough part in the hugely popular thriller series You.

"I didn't know what else I was gonna do. I've never really considered anything else, more so recently, just out of sake of curiosity and wanting another life experience," she explained.

"But when I was a teenager, I'd gotten off a children's show, and I didn't know what I was going to do. I had to prove myself and meet all these new casting directors who didn't know who I was.

"It just felt like a good time to call it quits if I was going to. I was starting high school, and, 'it was a good run' sort of thing."

Fortunately, following what she describes as a months-long discussion with her team, she landed her role on You and the rest, as they say, is history.

"I went on that set, and I loved it and had the best time. I thought, 'Yeah, there's no way I could let this go'," she added.

Wednesday is available to stream on Netflix.