Zendaya’s trajectory in Hollywood over the past few years has been nothing short of meteoric, with roles in major franchises and critically acclaimed dramas. Yet, it’s fascinating to consider how her career might have looked if a different Disney Channel opportunity had worked out. In 2015, after wrapping up “Shake It Up” and starring in several Disney original films, Zendaya auditioned for a significant role in the “Descendants” franchise, which focused on the children of famous Disney villains.
On the “Magical Rewind” podcast with Will Friedle and Sabrina Bryan, former Vice President of Disney Channel’s Casting and Talent Relations, Cornelia Frame, revealed that Zendaya auditioned numerous times for a role in “Descendants.” Frame noted, “Zendaya did audition many times for ‘Descendants,’ and that was a big deal. She auditioned over and over and really wanted it. It just ended up not going her way. Now that I think about it, I’m like, ‘Would Spider-Man have happened right at that same time?’”
The first “Descendants” movie premiered in July 2015, soon after Zendaya appeared in her new series, “K.C. Undercover.” The film was a massive success and spawned several sequels. While it was a missed opportunity for Zendaya to stay anchored in her Disney roots, Frame suggested that everything happens for a reason: “Things happen for a reason, and you do often book this other thing that’s amazing when you don’t get something else. Zendaya definitely put so much effort and so much work into it, too. It’s just one of those things.”
Just a few months after missing out on “Descendants,” Zendaya was cast as MJ in “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” which catapulted her to international fame and helped solidify her movie career. So while she may not have been a part of “Descendants,” she ended up with a role that undoubtedly transformed her career trajectory.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on how Zendaya’s career has evolved and what role you would have loved to see her play. Share your remarks in the comments below!
Source: Nina Braca
