With her incredible acting skills and marvelous screen presence, actress Zendaya has well-established herself in the Hollywood industry. While fans are certainly aware of her on-screen talent, they still haven’t seen her skills behind the camera. While being an amazing actress is her current profession, Zendaya could also be a potential director. IndieWire reports (via The New York Times) that the actress is still skeptical about showcasing her directorial skill, but Luca Guadagnino thinks otherwise.
Is Zendaya a rising director in the film industry?
During an interview with the publication, Zendaya said about climbing into a director’s chair, “I’m overly conscious of everything else around me.” That’s when Guadagnino chimed in, “Because Z is a director. I told you many times, and I repeat it now to The Times.” However, showing her skepticism, Zendaya stressed that she’s still “learning.” However, considering her collaboration with renowned auteurs like Guadagnino and Denis Villeneuve, fans may soon get to know about Zendaya’s directorial chops. She could start her filmmaking journey by taking small steps, such as working as an apprentice to her collaborators.
It isn’t the first time the topic of Zendaya’s filmmaking career has ignited. The actress was originally supposed to direct Episode 6 of Euphoria Season 2, a chance to showcase her exceptional talent on-camera. However, she opted to wait and direct something for the now-delayed Season 3 instead.
Nevertheless, it has been 2 years since that thing, and now the situation is different. Also, given the actress’ fondness for working on set, it’s so obvious that she would observe everything that develops her skills. During the same interview, Zendaya said, “I love being on set because it is not just creatively stimulating, but it’s one of the few places where I feel free. Whatever that thing in my brain is where it’s overly critical and self-conscious, that is the one place where I can be spontaneous and exist for the purpose of just creating something with other people and feel no guilt about it.
But I’m not at the place where I’m quite confident enough to step into directing. I get to be with the greatest around me all the time, and I’m like, ‘Let me sponge and get as much from this as possible. For many years, I was embarrassed to ask questions — I was like, ‘I don’t want to waste people’s time.’ But you’d be surprised at how many people are like, ‘Oh my God, come on in. This is this film stock; this is the reference for this shot.’ People love sharing what they do, and I’m lucky to be in a place where I can absorb it.”
While Guadagnino has her belief in Zendaya, Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve’s notions echo with her, as he also wants the actress to soon showcase her visionary skills. During “The Director’s Cut” podcast, Villeneuve sang Zendaya’s praises. While highlighting her ability to listen, Villeneuve said, “She’s so clever, but shows she’s brilliant and her strong presence and she was always on set even when she was not shooting.” Villeneuve told Steven Spielberg on the podcast. “Just sitting between cinematographer Greg and I, listening, listening, and listening. So I would not be surprised that one day we learn that she wants to go behind the camera.”
Considering Villeneuve’s and Guadagnino’s belief in Zendaya, it can be said that there will be a day when the actress will helm something. For now, she’ll continue to excel at acting and producing, with Challengers being the latest showcase of that.
Guadagnino’s latest film, Challengers, is in theaters now.
