Key Takeaways:
– Before Zendaya’s fame in Spider-Man and Euphoria soared, she auditioned multiple times for Disney’s Descendants franchise.
– Disney’s former casting VP shared how Zendaya auditioned time and again, showing her commitment to being a part of the franchise.
– Spider-Man producers confessed to not having known about Zendaya’s fame and popularity during the casting process.
The Path to Fame is Never Easy
We know Zendaya today as a leading young star in Hollywood, primarily due to her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as MJ. However, the star’s journey to fame was not an overnight success. Not many are aware that before embracing the big screens in the MCU, Zendaya had several failed Disney auditions under her belt.
Zest for Disney’s Descendants
Zendaya, crashing onto the scene in HBO’s Euphoria and later as MJ in the MCU’s Spider-Man series, was initially fixated on being a part of Disney’s Descendants. In her early career days, she auditioned multiple times for Disney’s biggest franchise but could not secure a spot.
Cornelia Frame, Disney’s former Vice President of Casting, shared her memories of Zendaya’s auditions on the Magical Rewind podcast. She recounted how Zendaya auditioned repeatedly with an evidently strong desire to be part of the franchise. However, unfortunately, things did not swing her way.
Endearing Relations with Disney
Zendaya’s relationship with Disney dates back to her early acting days. She rose to prominence with the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up and led K.C. Undercover. Her long affiliation with Disney explains her persistent auditions for its most famous franchise.
Stepping into Spider-Man’s World Unnoticed
It was not until Spider-Man: Homecoming that Zendaya garnered wider fame. The film served as a reboot of the Spider-Man franchise, co-produced by Marvel Studios and Sony.
Interestingly, producers did not initially recognize Zendaya’s growing popularity. In a candid interview with Vogue, producer Amy Pascal disclosed that neither she nor Kevin Feige, the Marvel Studios president, knew who Zendaya was initially.
The producers were in search of a personality similar to Zendaya for the Spider-Man reboot. Once they came across her, they immediately decided she would be suitable for MJ’s character.
Zendaya’s Unbeknownst Fame Surprises Producers
Pascal confessed a surprising revelation. Both she and Feige discovered Zendaya’s extensive fanbase and soaring popularity only after casting her. This revelation made them feel sheepish about their initial ignorance. Regardless, considering the widespread acclaim that Zendaya’s performance has received, it was undoubtedly the right decision to cast her.
With this revelation, it’s evident that despite the initial setbacks and failed auditions, Zendaya made her way into Hollywood. She undoubtedly left an indelible impact in every role she played, leading her to immense fame and recognition. As the old saying goes, //”Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”// And this success journey of Zendaya is a perfect example of never giving up.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is now available for streaming on Disney+. Feasting our eyes on Zendaya portraying MJ now seems even more compelling, realizing the journey that brought her there.
