Following the critically-acclaimed 'Drive', which won 44 prizes, and the wildly-criticised 'Only God Forgives', which only won one, it has been announced that production on the new Nicolas Winding Refn film 'The Neon Demon' will begin on March 30.

Returning to LA, where Drive is also set, the film has the tagline 'the wicked die young' and is scheduled for release in 2016.

In classic Refn style, the plot is a rather sordid tale. Elle Fanning ('Maleficent') stars as Jesse, an aspiring model. Her blood and later her body is ingested by Sarah, portrayed by Australian supermodel Abbey Lee, the leader of a group of dysfunctional models who want to retain their beauty at all costs.

A horror about beauty
Described by Refn as “a horror film about vicious beauty“, the screenplay is written in collaboration with newcomer Mary Laws. Also on board are editor Matthew Newman, producer Lene Børglum and composer Cliff Martinez who have previously worked with Refn on 'Only God Forgives'.

Returning to work with Refn is Christina Hendricks ('Mad Men', 'Drive'). She is joined by Keanu Reeves and Jena Malone ('Inherent Vice').

Refn's wife Liv Corfixen told Dazed & Confused Magazine that the film is inspired by the story of serial killer Countess Báthory. Legend has it that she bathed in the blood of her victims to remain beautiful.