Zendaya Initially Cast in "After the Hunt"
Malik Hassan Sayeed, the cinematographer for After the Hunt, revealed in a Deadline interview that Zendaya was originally set to play the role that Ayo Edebiri eventually took on in Luca Guadagnino’s film. However, Zendaya dropped out before production began.
Production Background and Scheduling
The film started shooting in July 2024. Zendaya’s schedule that year was relatively light, with only one project, The Drama, filmed in October. This suggests she may have chosen not to participate in After the Hunt, which would have reunited her with Guadagnino, who directed her in Challengers.
Reception and Impact
The decision to leave appears to have been prudent. The film was widely criticized, described as reactionary, and failed at the box office. Despite these issues, the production budget was surprisingly high, reportedly $80 million, an unusual figure given that the movie primarily unfolds in indoor settings like rooms and offices.
“I’m still not entirely sure how the film cost $80M to produce — it still boggles my mind, since most of it takes place in rooms and offices.”
Summary
Zendaya’s withdrawal from After the Hunt likely spared her association with a critically panned and commercially unsuccessful film, despite the unusually large budget.
Would you like the tone to be more formal or informal?