When Golden Globe winner Zendaya auditioned for the role of MJ in Spider-Man: Homecoming, she was already a well-known actress to Disney fans.
The creators of Spider-Man: Homecoming were drawn to her talent, but had no idea who the star was.
Zendaya has played MJ, the love interest of Peter Parker, also known as Spider-Man, in three films so far.
The first movie was released in 2017 and was titled Spider-Man: Homecoming. She then appeared in the 2019 sequel film Spider-Man: Far From Home, and most recently in the 2021 film Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Before landing the role of MJ, Zendaya was already well-established and well-known when she first started appearing on the Disney Channel. She Zendaya starred in the Disney show Shake It Up from 2010 to 2013.
She also starred in the Disney show ‘KC Undercover’ from 2015 to 2018.
When Zendaya auditioned for the Spider-Man movie, one of the producers and the head of Marvel Studios didn’t know she was a star. (Rodin Eckenroth/Film Magic)
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In addition to her Disney fame, she has also appeared in multiple music videos, including with Beyoncé, and released music on her own.
Before auditioning for the film, Zendaya competed on the 16th season of Dancing with the Stars, where she placed second.
Despite her star status before Spider-Man, neither the film’s producer Amy Pascal nor Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige had any idea who the actress was when she auditioned. .
“Neither [Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige] I didn’t even know who she was,” Pascal admitted to Vogue.
“She didn’t have any makeup on and was dressed like a normal girl, and we thought, ‘Oh my God, she’s amazing. She should be in the movie,'” Pascal said. .
Zendaya, Heidi Klum appear on the red carpet: photos
After the fact, Pascal and Feige found out who the star was.
“Then I found out she was a total celebrity and I felt really stupid,” Pascal told the outlet.
The love that MJ and Peter shared on-screen was also felt off-screen. Zendaya and Holland are now one of Hollywood’s favorite couples.
Zendaya began acting on the Disney Channel show Shake It Up. (Paul Archuleta/Film Magic)
Although much of their relationship has been out of the spotlight, Zendaya took the time to speak to Vogue about the beautiful way her beau has adapted to fame. Playing Spider-Man was a life-changing role for Holland, and his level of fame changed dramatically overnight.
“We were both very, very young, but my career was already well underway, and he changed overnight,” she told the outlet. “One day you’re a kid and you’re in the pub with your friends and the next day you’re Spider-Man. I’ve certainly seen his life change before my eyes. But , he really coped with it’ beautifully. “
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Since playing MJ in Spider-Man, Zendaya’s career has continued to explode.
Some of her most notable roles since then include Lou in the HBO drama Euphoria, Chani in the sci-fi blockbuster Dune and its 2024 sequel, and Tashi in the tennis drama Challengers.
There’s a lot of uncertainty as to what the future holds for Peter and MJ.
“All I can say is that we have been actively talking about what a fourth rendition of my character could be,” Holland said in November 2023. said in a press conference with the Critics Choice Association via Collider. Whether you can find a way to do justice to the character is another story. ”
Tom Holland and Zendaya played lovers in the Spider-Man series and are a couple in real life. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
“I feel very protected against Spider-Man,” the actor continued. “I feel very, very fortunate to have been able to work on a series that gets better with each film and has success with each film. I think that’s a really rare thing. I’m proud of his legacy. That’s why I won.” It has to be valuable to the character, not just making another piece for the sake of making another piece. ”
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Development on the film was paused during last year’s Writers Guild of America strike.
