Zendaya says directing a film and playing a villain are on her career wish list

Zendaya he is known for playing many different roles in TV shows and movies including Euphoria, The greatest showmanthe MCUs Spiderman movie, Dune: parts 1 and 2and the upcoming tennis drama, Challengersbut he has some ideas about where else he would like to see his career in the future.

In a recent video interview for Elle magazine (via Variety), the Emmy winner said she’d love to play a villain role in the future. Zendaya noted that most of her output has been to play “the nice guy,” which is a trend she wants to break.

“I’d like to play some kind of villain. Tap into that villainous, super-villain vibe. Whatever that manifests, I don’t think necessarily in a superheroic sense but in an emotional sense. I feel like I usually play the good guy, so I’d like to play the bad guy.

Directing is also on Zendaya’s wish list, if she can overcome her fears. She has already acted and produced to her credit.

“[I want to] direct one day. Directing a film, hopefully more than just one, but just doing it. The first step to actually doing something yourself is not an easy step to take, so hopefully I can overcome the fear.

Zendaya spoke to Elle before the SAG-AFTRA strike on behalf of her starring role Luca Guadagnino’S Challengersin which she plays a tennis superstar who finds herself trapped in a love triangle with two rival male stars, played by Josh O’Connor AND Mike Faist. The drama was due to open the Venice Film Festival and screen in September, before the studio delayed production on the film. Challengers will now be released in 2024. Zendaya’s other major release in 2023, that of Denis Villeneuve Dune: second parthas been delayed and will open on March 15, 2024 from Warner Bros.