Entertainment
Borat 2’s Maria Bakalova lands role in ‘secret slasher film’ Bodies, Bodies, Bodies
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm breakout star Maria Bakalova has landed her next big movie role alongside Amandla Stenberg.
The Bulgarian actress is in high demand following her scene-stealing role as Borat’s daughter Tutar Sagdiyev in the comedy sequel, and has been snapped up for a secret slasher film being developed by A24.
Maria, 24, has signed on to the mysterious project Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, along with The Hate U Give star Amandla Stenberg.
According to Deadline, SNL star Pete Davidson and Industry’s Myha’la Herrold are also in talks to star, while Halina Reijn will direct.
The plot details are shrouded in secrecy, but considering A24 were behind recent horror gems including Hereditary, Midsommar and Saint Maud, we’re expecting terrifying things.
Maria had few credits to her name when she landed the role of Tutar in the Borat sequel, and made headlines due to a now infamous scene where her character interviewed Rudy Giuliani.
The scene – which saw Trump’s attorney lie on a hotel bed and appear to reach inside his trousers – plus Maria’s comic timing has made her a darling of awards season, and landed her nominations at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Baftas.
Maria has even achieved an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress, and will face off against Glenn Close (Hillbilly Elegy), Olivia Colman (The Father), Amanda Seyfried (Mank) and Youn Yuh-jung (Minari) later this month.
The actress found out she was nominated while filming The Bubble with Judd Apatow and Pedro Pascal, having decided to work through the announcement.
She told the New York Times: ‘I can’t believe it’s happening. It’s the best of the best of the best day of my life. I was on set because I’m working on an incredible project with Judd Apatow. In the beginning of the day, Judd asked me, “Do you want to be private? Do you want to watch the ceremony?” I said, “I’m really excited but I don’t want to be greedy.” Just the idea of people mentioning my name in the conversation about this huge recognition alongside these inspiring, amazing, great actresses has already been enough. So I was like, “Let’s just do work!”
‘I was shooting with Pedro Pascal. We were shooting some interesting scene and Judd came into the shot and said, “You just got your nomination for the Oscars.” I said, “What?!” I think I started shaking and literally lost my mind for a second. Judd Apatow and Pedro Pascal were both so excited.’
Maria stars alongside Pedro, Karen Gillan, Fred Armisen, David Duchovny, Leslie Mann, Keegan-Michael Key, Rob Delaney, Iris Apatow and more in the meta comedy film, which follows actors attempting to film a movie during the pandemic.
Maria’s Borat co-star Sacha Baron Cohen is also up for an Oscar at the ceremony on April 25, albeit for his role in The Trial of the Chicago 7.
He is also up for best adapted screenplay for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.
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