During a recent appearance on «The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon», Zendaya offered fans a behind-the-scenes look at the unexpected way she secured her role as Athena in Christopher Nolan’s latest epic, «The Odyssey».
While the actress had long been a fervent admirer of the director’s work, she explained that the opportunity initially arrived through her partner, Tom Holland, who had already been cast in the production. Zendaya recalled that Holland had brought the script home, and while he was away at a meeting, she took the opportunity to read the screenplay.
A surprising casting revelation
The actress noted that her involvement became official after Holland returned from his meeting. According to Zendaya, Holland instructed her to read a specific portion of the script again, but this time with the character of Athena in mind. «I just freaked out,» Zendaya told Fallon, expressing her deep gratitude that Holland was the one to deliver the life-changing news.
Zendaya, who described herself as a massive fan of Nolan’s filmography, specifically «Interstellar», admitted she attempted to play it cool during her first meeting with the director in his office. She ultimately broke the ice by discussing a replica of the robot TARS displayed in the office.
The scale of a Nolan production
Reflecting on the filmmaking process, the star compared the sheer scope of «The Odyssey» to her previous blockbuster work. She described the experience of walking onto the massive sets as feeling almost dreamlike, particularly given the rapid transition from filming «Euphoria» to the intense war sequences required for the new film.
«I don’t want to be the thing that’s holding this up,» she joked, maintaining her characteristic humility regarding her place among a cast of actors she deeply admires. «The whole thing is happening, and I just… I don’t want to be messing up my lines.»
«The Odyssey» is scheduled for release this Friday in the U.S.
