Before Zendaya graced the silver screen in blockbuster hits and captured hearts worldwide, she was almost a part of Disney Channel’s beloved Descendants franchise. Cornelia Frame, the former VP of casting and talent relations at Disney, recently unveiled this intriguing tidbit on the Magical Rewind podcast. Zendaya auditioned multiple times for a role in the musical fantasy TV film, pouring her heart into each audition. “Zendaya did audition many times for Descendants, and that was a big deal,” Frame revealed. “She auditioned over and over and really wanted it. It just ended up not going her way.”
Imagine a Descendants world featuring the celebrated Emmy winner! The franchise, which follows the teenage children of classic Disney villains like Maleficent and Jafar, has been a massive hit since its debut in 2015. With two sequels and the recent spinoff Descendants: The Rise of Red streaming on Disney+, it’s fascinating to think about what could have been.
Zendaya’s career trajectory is a true testament to resilience and talent. Despite not landing a role in Descendants, she went on to phenomenal success, beginning on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up and K.C. Undercover. She then transitioned to major Hollywood roles, notably in Spider-Man: Homecoming alongside Tom Holland, and its sequels. Zendaya’s portrayal of Rue in HBO’s Euphoria further cemented her status, earning her two Emmy Awards.
Reflecting on Zendaya’s auditions, Frame mused, “Now that I think about it, I’m like, ‘Would Spider-Man have happened right at that same time?’ Things happen for a reason, and you do often book this other thing that’s amazing when you don’t get something else.” Indeed, fans can attest that everything worked out in the end for Zendaya, who has also starred in the Dune franchise and the upcoming film Challengers.
What do you think? Would Zendaya have made a perfect addition to the Descendants cast? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to share this story with your friends!
Source: Carly Thomas
