Zendaya to star in Alex Garland sci-fi film for A24
The actress joins the filmmaker for an untitled science-fiction project set to shoot in 2027, extending her partnership with the studio.
Zendaya is returning to science fiction. The actress has joined an untitled sci-fi film written and directed by Alex Garland for A24, according to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. Plot details remain undisclosed, and production is expected to begin in 2027.
The project extends Zendaya’s relationship with A24, which has produced the HBO series Euphoria, which concluded this year after three seasons, and released the spring film The Drama, in which she starred alongside Robert Pattinson. For Garland, the sci-fi continues a prolific partnership with the studio that includes the features Ex Machina, Civil War, Men and Warfare, as well as the forthcoming video game adaptation Elden Ring, which wrapped production on July 30 and is scheduled for theatrical release in March 2028.
A milestone year for Zendaya
The announcement arrives as Zendaya completes a busy year. She appeared in Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day with Tom Holland, which has become a domestic box-office record-holder. The pair also starred in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which achieved record status as Universal’s biggest-earning release and is positioned for awards-season contention.
Later this year, Zendaya will appear in the third Dune installment, releasing December 16, reprising her earlier role in Denis Villeneuve’s saga. She earned an Emmy nomination this year for the final season of Euphoria. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she is also set to portray singer Ronnie Spector in a biographical film by Barry Jenkins for A24, and will provide a voice in DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek 5, scheduled for 2027.
Garland’s continued output at A24
Garland’s sci-fi film marks his return to the genre after recent ventures into other storytelling terrain. In addition to his upcoming Elden Ring adaptation, the director is known for the Netflix feature Annihilation and the FX series Devs.
Variety notes that Garland’s focus on the A24 project may delay hopes for a third installment in the 28 Years Later franchise. Director Danny Boyle told the London Film Festival recently that Garland had written a script for the third film but was occupied with Elden Ring. The new sci-fi could push that project further into the background.
This article was compiled by the Glamorade editorial desk from the official announcements and reporting listed under Sources.
