Zendaya wants to play a villain and tap into that “evil, supervillain vibe”

Actors love to play a villain, and Zendaya is no exception. While speaking with Elle (before the SAG-AFTRA strike), Zendaya said that she would love to break free of the “good guy” roles she usually plays and tap into her dark side.

“I would love to play a villain of sorts,” Zendaya said. “Tap into that evil, supervillain vibe. Whatever that manifests in, I don’t think necessarily in a superhero sense but in an emotional sense. I feel like I usually play the good guy, so I’d like to play the bad guy.” It’s always fun to see actors breaking type to play the villain, and I’m sure Zendaya will get her chance.

In addition to playing a baddie, Zendaya also wants to take her talents behind the camera. “[I want to] direct one day. To direct a film, hopefully more than just one, but just doing it,” Zendaya said. “The first step to actually doing something yourself is not an easy step to take, so hopefully I can get over the fear.“

Zendaya will next be seen in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two. The sequel will “explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”

In addition to Zendaya, the Dune sequel also stars Timothée Chalamet (Wonka), Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One), Josh Brolin (Avengers: Endgame), Austin Butler (Elvis), Florence Pugh (Oppenheimer), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter), Léa Seydoux ( No Time to Die), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Fences), Stellan Skarsgård (Mamma Mia!), Charlotte Rampling (Assassin’s Creed), and Javier Barden (No Country for Old Men).

Dune: Part Two was supposed to hit theaters later this year, but it was recently announced that the release had been pushed back to March 15, 2024. She’s also set to star alongside Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, which follows a Grand Slam tennis champion who signs up to compete in a challenger event against the former lover of his wife and coach. The film will be released on April 26, 2024.