Summary
InDune Part Two,Zendaya’scharacter Chani gains more screen time than inDune Part One, with the character playing a vital role in the story of Paul Atreides. Being a part of the Fremen, Chani stands side by side with Paul as he aims to exact revenge on the ones who betrayed House Atreides on Arrakis.
Zendaya’s road to starring in one of the biggest sci-fi blockbusters of the last decade has been slowly built. She made a name for herself in movies and TV,withEuphoriabeing a particularly successful vehicle for her. Despite this, Zendaya has appeared in several film roles that have boosted her career, making her a household name for many.
8Lola Bunny - Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
A Modern Take On The Famous Space Jam Character
In the sequel to the firstSpace Jamstarring Michael Jordan,Space Jam: A New Legacyfollows the adventures of LeBron James and the Looney Tunesas they assemble a basketball teamto rescue Lebron’s son. In the highly anticipated sequel, Zendaya plays the role of the iconic characterLola Bunny, with Zendaya’s performance showcasing her voice acting abilities, which to that point had yet to be shown.
Lola Bunny’s new look enabled Zendaya to become the new voice actor, with her performance being sassy and confident, showcasing the actor’s range.
7Marie - Malcolm & Marie (2021)
A Portrayal Of Being In A Toxic Relationship
InMalcolm & Marie, Zendaya stars as the lead characterMarie. The film follows the couple of Malcolm & Marie over one night,with their relationship problems unravelingthroughout the evening. Filmed during the pandemic, Zendaya and John David Washington are the film’s sole focus, allowing the actors to carry the movie with their performances.
With the film’s black-and-white look and its single location, the pair shoulder the entire movie, with their performances basking in the toxicity of a couple going through difficult changes. Zendaya excels in a loud and eye-opening role, elevating the material through her dynamic performance that depicts an actress who believes she is destined for great things, things she has yet to achieve.
6MJ - Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
A Subtle And Nonchalant Comedic Role As The Iconic Character MJ
In the first of threeSpider-Manfilms in the MCU,Zendaya plays the role ofMJin high schoolalongside Tom Holland, who stars as Peter Parker. InSpider-Man: Homecoming, while Peter learns to deal with his role as Spider-Man, MJ pays close attention to him, with Zendaya pulling off a nonchalant performance that gives the audience hints of her romantic feelings for Peter.
Despite not having as much screen time in this first film of the trilogy, Zendaya makes her presence felt with a subtle comedic performance, allowing the actor to showcase her range in such an iconic comic book role.
5Anne Wheeler - The Greatest Showman (2017)
Zendaya Showcases Stunts And Singing Performances In This Musical
With Zendaya’s singing background,The Greatest Showmanwas an excellent role to show off her talents, starring alongside Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron.The Greatest Showman, based on P.T. Barnum and his famous entertainment shows, includes Zendaya’s characterAnne Wheeler, who acts as a trapeze performer in the show. With her role of a trapeze performer, Zendaya goes to extreme lengths in order to pull off her performance, so much so that she actually learned how to be a trapeze performer to embody the role.
While performing many daring stunts in the film, Zendaya utilizes her singing background from her Disney days as her character participates in several musical numbers. Zendaya’s musical performances throughout the film showcase the actor’s multifaceted abilities as a performer.
4Chani - Dune: Part One (2021)
A Mysterious Performance Full Of Intrigue In This Modern Sci-Fi Epic
InDune Part One, the story follows Paul Atreides and his journey as his enemies destroy his family’s house. Thesci-fi epic features a star-studded cast, including Zendaya as the Fremen soldier,Chani. Despite being a constant vision in Paul’s dreams, Chani is featured very little in the film. Much of Zendaya’s performance as Chani is masked in mystery, as she is only seen in visions.
Once Chani and Paul finally meet, Zendaya acts hostile and distant toward Paul and his mother, providing a subtle but serious performance layered with intrigue and mystery that sets up her much more fleshed out character inDune: Part Two.
3MJ - Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Awkward Teenage Love Depicted By Zendaya In This Spider-Man Sequel
In the second film of the MCU’sSpider-Mantrilogy, Zendaya returns asMJin a more prominent role than the previous film. With Peter and MJ going on a school trip to Europethat sees Mysterio causing havoc, the pair spend more time together as their feelings for each other develop. Zendaya perfectly encapsulates the teenage angst the character goes through opposite Tom Holland, depicting young love in an awkward and relatable manner.
While still bringing a subtle but comedic performance similar toSpider-Man: Homecoming, Zendaya’s portrayal of MJ falling in love during a chaotic school trip shows the actor’s understanding and awareness of the role and her empathy with the character.
2MJ - Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
MJ Goes Through A Drastic Lifestyle Change Alongside Peter
In the third installment of the MCU’sSpider-Mantrilogy, Zendaya’s role continues to increase, with MJ taking center stage alongside Peter as he deals with thecomplications of messing with the multiverse. WithMJand Peter finally becoming a couple, Zendaya’s character undergoes a whirlwind experience as Peter’s identity as Spider-Man is revealed.
While depicting young love, Zendaya’s character portrays the feelings of a young person dealing with several problems in her life. Her performance showcases her understanding of her role as MJ as she perfectly encapsulates her hopes and aims while in a relationship with Spider-Man, whose life is in constant turmoil. She also takes on more of a heroic role herself in this threequel, with MJ and Ned working together to summon other Spider-Men to their world to help Peter.
1Chani - Dune: Part Two (2024)
InDune Part Two, Zendaya’s character,Chani,is one of the film’s leading roles. This starkly contrasts withDune Part One,where Chani is featured very little. With Paul becoming an active member of the Fremen, Chani and Paul strike up a relationship that soon turns romantic. Zendaya’s portrayal of Chani involves a hardened and mature performance that sees her warm to Paul despite still operating as a fierce Fremen warrior who doubts the validity of him as Lisan Al Gaib, a prophesied Fremen hero.
As Chani and Paul’s relationship develops, the layers of their relationship become strained due to Paul’s burden, with Zendaya’s portrayal perfectly encapsulating Chani’s care for Paul and the Fremen, and her eventual frustration as Paul starts to believe he is a true hero of prophecy.
