Zendaya is no doubt one of the best actresses in Hollywood. Starting as a Disney star, she has slowly transitioned her career as she started taking more mature roles. The two-time Primetime Emmy winner has become quite popular for her roles in the Spider-Man film series and for leading the HBO teen drama Euphoria. And she has taken an even more intense role in her upcoming romantic drama, Challengers.
Starring the 26-year-old actress alongside Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, the movie follows a tennis player-turned-coach who signs up her husband for a Challenger event, where he ends up going against her ex-boyfriend, Patrick. During a recent interview with Elle, the Dune star opened up about the fears and challenges of taking the intense role for the 2024 movie.
Zendaya Opens Up About Taking an Intense Role
Zendaya is starring as Tashi Duncan, a pro tennis player who gets involved in a love triangle between her husband and her ex-lover, in her upcoming movie. Not many details have been revealed about the movie’s plot, but the actress has described it as her “first time really being a leading lady.”
During her recent interview, she shared that the movie offered her to step into the next phase of her career with a more mature role. While she admitted that she was a bit scared regarding the film, the Spider-Man: No Way Home actress still stepped outside of her comfort zone and took the challenge.
“It was a little bit scary to take on, which I think is a good feeling. To be like, ‘Oh, can I do this?’ You could run from that feeling and stay safe and comfortable, or you can go, ‘You know what, f*** it.’”
Zendaya started her acting career as a Disney star and starred in several Disney projects initially in her career. However, over the past few years, she has portrayed some intense roles. The role of Tashi is very different than what she has done so far as an actress, as it brings out the bold and sensual side of the actress.
Zendaya Trained Three Months For Challengers
During a recent interview with Variety, the director of Challengers, Luca Guadagnino, shared that they did not have to use any body double for their lead actress Zendaya, as she trained for three months for her role in the movie.
He revealed that the Euphoria star “spent like three months working very hard” with former player Brad Gilbert, who is also a consultant on the film. “She’s wonderful,” he said before adding, “I mean, wow. We edited the movie, and we almost actually don’t use any of her double. She’s so good.” The movie was set to release next month. However, due to the ongoing actors and writers strike, it has been postponed till the next year.
Challengers will be released on April 26, 2024.
Source: Elle
