While Netflix‘s upcoming Malcolm & Marie has put both Zendaya and John David Washington in the midst of the awards season races, though there has been some controversy over their 12-year age gap.
The film, written and directed by Zendaya’s Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, follows the 36-year-old Washington and 24-year-old Zendaya as the title characters as their relationship is tested after the premiere of director Malcolm’s new movie.
Washington opened up about the controversy and the production in a new interview with Variety, where he said that, despite the controversy, he wasn’t worried at all.
Age gap: While Netflix’s upcoming Malcolm & Marie has put both Zendaya and John David Washington in the midst of the awards season races, though there has been some controversy over their 12-year age gap
Relationship: The film, written and directed by Zendaya’s Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, follows the 36-year-old Washington and 24-year-old Zendaya as the title characters as their relationship is tested after the premiere of director Malcolm’s new movie
‘I wasn’t concerned about it because she is a woman. People are going to see in this film how much of a woman she is,’ Washington began.
While Washington may be the son of Hollywood icon Denzel Washington, he admitted that Zendaya, who has been working since she was a teenager, knows the business much better than he does.
‘She has far more experience than I do in the industry. I’ve only been in it for seven years. She’s been in it longer, so I’m learning from her. I’m the rookie,’ he said.
Not concerned: ‘I wasn’t concerned about it because she is a woman. People are going to see in this film how much of a woman she is,’ Washington began
Washington admitted he was ‘leaning on her a lot,’ as she shared stories, ‘about what she’s had to go through with Twitter and everything. I appreciated her wisdom and discernment when it comes to this business. I admire that.’
He also said he’s excited to see this film because they will, ‘see how mature she is in this role, We’re talking about versatility, and Sam and Zendaya brought both.’
The film was shot with a minimal crew and just Washington and Zendaya in front of the camera this summer, though Washington said he felt totally safe.
Leaning: Washington admitted he was ‘leaning on her a lot,’ as she shared stories, ‘about what she’s had to go through with Twitter and everything. I appreciated her wisdom and discernment when it comes to this business. I admire that’
Mature: He also said he’s excited to see this film because they will, ‘see how mature she is in this role, We’re talking about versatility, and Sam and Zendaya brought both’
‘I felt comfortable. I felt safe. But I felt the need to do this so much that I was willing to risk it,’ he said.
‘We were in the facility, on a ranch, which was this beautiful resort, with plenty of space. Everybody had their own cabin; we had to get tested we got there,’ he said.
Washington added that the cast and crew were the only ones on the ranch where they shot, adding, ‘So as long as nobody left the facility, I felt safe.’
Safe: ‘I felt comfortable. I felt safe. But I felt the need to do this so much that I was willing to risk it,’ he said
Washington is coming off director Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, which hit theaters this fall in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After Malcolm & Marie debuts February 5 on Netflix, he’ll return to the streaming service with Born to be Murdered later this year with Alicia Vikander.
Zendaya is currently filming the untitled Spider-Man sequel, and she also stars in the upcoming Dune, which was pushed from this past December to October 1.
New role: Washington is coming off director Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, which hit theaters this fall in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic
Filming: Zendaya is currently filming the untitled Spider-Man sequel, and she also stars in the upcoming Dune, which was pushed from this past December to October 1