The Captivating Roles Zendaya Dreams of Bringing to Life
Zendaya's desire to transition from MJ to evil reveals her versatility as an actress With success playing both heroes and anti-heroes, she showcases her range and capability to captivate audiences in a variety of complex roles
Summary
Zendaya, known for her heroic roles, expressed a desire to play a villain and tap into evil and supervillain vibes.
Zendaya's portrayal of Rue in Euphoria highlights her versatility as an actress, showcasing her ability to embody complex and flawed characters. Her exceptional talent in delving into deeper and more intense emotions and delivering genuine sincerity has garnered her high praise from critics and multiple awards for her remarkable performances.
Zendaya, known for her portrayal of strong and courageous characters, expressed her desire to explore a different type of role in the future. Initially rising to fame in 2010 through her Disney Channel character Rocky Blue on Shake It Up, Zendaya has since become a prominent figure in Hollywood, earning accolades such as two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for her captivating performance in Euphoria.
During an interview with Elle (via Variety) conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Zendaya delved into various topics, ranging from her proudest moment to her preferred comfort food. When asked about the type of role she would like to take on, Zendaya replied, "I have a fascination with playing a villain or exploring the depths of a super villain." You can find Zendaya's complete statement and the accompanying video below.
Zendaya’s Success Playing The Hero (& Anti-Hero)
"I am eager to portray a type of antagonist, delving into the sinister and malevolent vibes that come with being a supervillain. This does not necessarily pertain to having superpowers like a typical superhero, but rather delving into the depths of emotions associated with villainy. Typically, I find myself playing the role of a virtuous character, which is why I yearn for the opportunity to take on the persona of a villain."
Zendaya has highlighted that the majority of her achievements have arisen from securing heroic roles. One notable example is her portrayal of Michelle Jones-Watson, known as MJ, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. MJ, a sharp-witted and resourceful classmate of Peter Parker, aids in fending off villains and eventually becomes Peter's romantic interest. Zendaya's recent reprisal of MJ in Spider-Man: No Way Home potentially played a significant role in the film's tremendous success, with a worldwide gross of over $1.9 billion in 2021. Furthermore, she has also portrayed the courageous character Chani in the 2021 film Dune.
Contrary to MJ, Zendaya's character Rue in Euphoria does not conform closely to the traditional heroic archetype. Rue, a high school student, battles with substance abuse disorder and occasionally treats her loved ones cruelly. However, this rawness and flaws seem to generate unwavering empathy from the audience. Zendaya's emotionally authentic portrayal of the character earned her the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2020 and 2022.
In one of Euphoria's most acclaimed episodes, season 2, episode 5, Rue destroys friendships, betrays her family, and steals valuables to fuel her drug addiction. Although she is not necessarily cast as an antagonist, Zendaya demonstrates her ability to shine by tapping into darker emotions. If given the opportunity to portray an emotionally turbulent character in the future, she could draw inspiration from the embittered energy she channels into Rue.
Sources: Elle (via Variety)
