Zendaya to star in Alex Garland's new A24 sci-fi film, shooting in 2027

Zendaya has signed on to star in a new, untitled science fiction film written and directed by Alex Garland for A24, Variety and Deadline reported on Thursday 15 October. The film is set to shoot in 2027, and plot details are being kept under wraps.

What is confirmed

Neither outlet lists a title, a release date, a character name or any co-stars. Variety said Garland is writing and directing; A24 is the studio.

The project adds to Zendaya's existing work with A24, including the HBO series Euphoria, which Variety says ended after three seasons earlier this year, and the dark comedy The Drama with Robert Pattinson. Variety puts that film's worldwide box office at almost $135 million, while Deadline says over $134 million.

Garland and A24

Garland has worked with A24 for years. The studio backed his sci-fi film Ex Machina, and later Civil War, Men and Warfare. A24 is also behind his upcoming film adaptation of the video game Elden Ring, starring Kit Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Ben Whishaw, Nick Offerman and Tom Burke. Variety says shooting on that film wrapped on 30 July, and Deadline lists its release date as 3 March 2028.

Variety noted that the news could push back hopes for a third 28 Years Later film. Garland wrote the first two entries with director Danny Boyle. Speaking at the London Film Festival, Boyle said Garland has written a script but that it is "on the back burner at the moment".

Zendaya's year

Deadline says Zendaya has had a big 2026. She appeared in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, which it says has passed $1.7 billion worldwide, and reprised her role as MJ in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which it puts above $2.5 billion.

Her next release is Dune: Part Three, in which she plays Chani again, due in December. Deadline also notes she was previously attached to play singer Ronnie Spector in Be My Baby, an A24 film directed by Barry Jenkins.

What we do not know yet

There is no confirmed cast beyond Zendaya, no title and no release window. We will update this page if A24 announces more.