As an actress and executive producer, Zendaya is already a multi-hyphenate, but she’s not quite ready to climb into a director’s chair. IndieWire reports (via The New York Times) that the “Challengers” star needs more time before she directs her first project. But when that day comes, Luca Guadagnino will say, “I told you so.”
READ MORE: ‘Challengers’ Review: Zendaya Rules This Love Triangle
“I’m overly conscious of everything else around me,” Zendaya told the publication in an interview for Guada’s new tennis drama, in theaters today. That’s when Guadagnino chimed in, “Because Z is a director. I told you many times, and I repeat it now to The Times.” Zendaya stressed that she’s still “learning,” but given the pedigree of directors she’s worked with recently, like Guadagnino and Denis Villeneuve, she may be further along in her apprenticeship than she thinks.
Zendaya’s ambitions to get behind the camera aren’t anything new. She was originally supposed to direct “Euphoria” Season 2 Episode 6, a showcase for the actress’ extreme talent while on-camera, before deciding to wait to helm something for the now-delayed Season 3. But that was two years ago; hasn’t enough time gone by? No, said the actress, but she loves working on set so she may soak everything in. “I love being on set because it is not just creatively stimulating, but it’s one of the few places where I feel free,” Zendaya continued. “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.”
And Zendaya enjoys the welcoming environment of on-set activities, too. “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,’” she said about the talent she works with. “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.”
Of course, it also helps to work with modern legends like Guadagnino. “I’m still blown away when I watch people like Luca,” Zendaya said about the “Challengers” director. “There’s five people coming up to you, asking you, ‘This or that?’ or ‘What’s next?’ and he has to have an answer,” she said. “I’d find myself like, ‘I just want to make everybody happy, what do you need?’ Once I feel more confident in my assertiveness or decision-making, then I feel like then I’ll be able to take that step.” Zendaya, unconfident? That sounds unlike one of the most charismatic stars of her generation, but the actress says it’s the case. “Hopefully one day that confidence will kick in, but until then, I’ll just keep learning,” she added.
It’s not for nothing that Zendaya’s director on “Dune” and its recent sequel Denis Villeneuve sees directing in the actress’ future, too. Villeneuve sang Zendaya’s praises on “The Director’s Cut” podcast, especially her ability to listen. “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.”
So Zendaya will helm something someday, but for now, she’ll continue to excel at acting and producing, with “Challengers” being the latest showcase of that. Guadagnino’s latest is in theaters today, an early favorite for 2024 Top 10 lists.