Zendaya has signed on to star in a new science-fiction movie written and directed by Ex Machina filmmaker Alex Garland. The untitled project is being developed at A24, with production expected to begin in 2027.
Although the storyline remains under wraps, the collaboration brings together one of Hollywood’s biggest stars and a filmmaker known for exploring the darker, more thought-provoking possibilities of science fiction.
Zendaya Continues Her Partnership With A24
The upcoming movie marks another collaboration between Zendaya and A24, following HBO’s Euphoria and the 2026 dark romantic comedy The Drama, co-starring Robert Pattinson.
The Drama became a commercial success, earning nearly $135 million worldwide.
Zendaya has also enjoyed a packed 2026, appearing in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. She will next reprise her role as Chani in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three, arriving in December.
While Dune explores large-scale political conflicts and interplanetary warfare, Garland’s science-fiction films often examine technology, identity and human behaviour through more intimate stories.
Why Alex Garland’s Return to Sci-Fi Matters
Garland previously earned acclaim for Ex Machina, which examined artificial intelligence, and Annihilation, a mysterious science-fiction thriller exploring transformation and self-destruction.
His latest project also continues a longstanding relationship with A24, following Men, Civil War and Warfare.
Meanwhile, Garland has completed filming his ambitious adaptation of the video game Elden Ring, scheduled for March 2028.
No official title, additional casting details or release date have been announced for his Zendaya-led project.
What makes the collaboration particularly interesting is the possibility of seeing Zendaya in a more psychologically demanding science-fiction role. However, until Garland reveals the premise, comparisons with his previous films remain expectations rather than confirmed creative details.
