Zendaya’s Secret: How She Thrives Beyond Spider-Man and Dune
Zendaya returns to two blockbuster franchises this year, but her career is anything but predictable. Discover how she navigates Hollywood’s biggest universes while building a reputation for bold, diverse roles.
Zendaya is back in the spotlight this year, taking on major roles in two of Hollywood ’s most talked-about franchises. She’s set to star alongside Tom Holland in the fourth installment of the Spider- Man series, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and will reprise her role as Chani in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three. Despite her return to these massive universes, Zendaya’s career path is far from typical for a franchise star.
Balancing Blockbusters and Prestige Projects
While many actors get locked into the world of big-budget franchises, Zendaya has managed to keep her options open. This year, she’s also stepping into the role of Athena in Christopher Nolan ’s The Odyssey and will appear as Emma Harwood in Kristoffer Borgli’s The Drama, a project that’s already generating buzz thanks to her collaboration with Robert Pattinson. On top of that, she’s returning as Rue Bennett in the third season of HBO ’s Euphoria, a role that’s earned her critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase.
Zendaya’s journey began with Disney ’s Shake It Up, but she quickly moved beyond her early roots. Her breakout as MJ in Spider-Man and her intense performance in Euphoria showed her range. In 2021, she took on the role of Chani in Dune: Part One and starred in Spider-Man: No Way Home, the highest-grossing film of her career so far. Yet, she’s never let these blockbuster roles define her. Instead, she treats them as stepping stones, using the visibility they bring to pursue more challenging and diverse projects.
Choosing Variety Over Repetition
Between her franchise commitments, Zendaya has consistently sought out roles that push her boundaries. She showcased her singing in The Greatest Showman and delivered a powerful performance opposite John David Washington in Malcolm & Marie. After her box office successes in 2021, she returned to television for Euphoria’s second season, embracing projects that allow her to explore vulnerability and complexity.
Her approach to picking roles is deliberate. Zendaya is known for being selective, turning down parts that don’t challenge her or offer something new. Even within the world of franchises, she brings something different to each character. In an interview, she explained her desire to play characters who are complicated, sometimes even unlikable or irredeemable. She pointed to her portrayal of Rue, saying,
“[I want to play characters] who are complicated… unlikable, unlovable, or irredeemable.”
She added,
“Remember that she’s human and she’s hurting, too.”
Franchise Success Opens New Doors
Her roles in Spider-Man and Dune have given her a global platform, but instead of being boxed in, Zendaya has used that exposure to land parts in projects led by some of the industry’s most respected directors, including Christopher Nolan and Luca Guadagnino. These opportunities have allowed her to shape her own path, choosing collaborators and taking creative risks that keep her work fresh and unpredictable.
Zendaya’s commercial appeal remains strong, with an estimated net worth of $30 million and a successful music career to boot. She’s even set to voice Felicia in Shrek 5, showing she’s open to expanding her franchise presence as long as it fuels her creative growth. Her ability to move between blockbuster hits and more intimate, character-driven stories has made her one of Hollywood’s most versatile young stars.