‘Malcolm & Marie’: Zendaya is paired up with John David Washington, fans happy it isn't ‘another White boy’
The former Disney star has set the Internet on fire with news of her being cast in ‘Euphoria’ creator Sam Levinson’s upcoming movie ‘Malcolm and Marie’. The secret movie shot amid lockdown and the ongoing pandemic is being lauded for its sheer brilliance, with many anticipating its release.
Yet another aspect about the movie that’s been holding everybody’s attention is Zendaya’s Black love interest essayed by John David Washington. While some seen thrilled about seeing their favorite Disney star romance a Black actor, some have asked what’s the big deal about it and how does the race of an actor matter.
A social media user wrote, “This is why racism is never going away .... You won't allow it to.” Another user added, “The celebration is the issue, it's all the wrong message. Love beautiful people for being beautiful. Forget the race.If she had 10k Chinese love interests that were all written as amazing people, that's awesome, who cares they were 10k times Chinese.” One Twitter user pointed out that fans are behaving as if Washington is the only Black actor Hollywood as seen. “But it's clear film Twitter only knows one Black person and it's Zendaya.... quota filled guys” read a tweet. And one asked, “What does it matter what colour any actor is?”
A few of Zendaya’s fans were simply thrilled about her exciting project and sent out wishes and told fellow users to stop picking on her for playing opposite a Black male counterpart. “Y’all so fake woke sometimes. Like my baby Zendaya is so unproblematic and every time she gets casted some of y’all want to complain that a darker actress should’ve been casted. Like damn, wtf she’s suppose to play in?!?” wrote one. Another tweeted, “You can be happy to see Zendaya finally get a black love-interest and like both actors.” And one wrote, "Yes i want hollywood to cast more black love (that isn’t always a darkskin man with a lightskin woman) and i want them to also accept that interracial relationships doesn’t have to include white. and yes i’m still happy zendaya’s love interest isn’t another white boy."
Another fan seconded tweeting, "You make that sound as if she has hundreds of movies, and in every one it has a white love interest... Also why does her love interest have to be black? White on Black love is beautiful, diversity at it's finest wouldn't you agree?"
‘Malcolm and Marie’ was filmed at the Caterpillar House in Carmel, CA. It comes with an environmentally conscious architecture and “all compliant with WGA, DGA and SAG-AFTRA approvals and COVID-19 safety protocols.” according to Deadline. A plot synopsis for “Malcolm & Marie” has not been released, although Deadline reports the film has “some echoes of Netflix’s ‘Marriage Story,’ while resonating [with] a number of social themes which the world is experiencing right now.
Levinson created ‘Malcolm & Marie’ after HBO had to shut down ‘Euphoria’ Season 2. He received a call from Zendaya during the lockdown asking if he could make a movie amid the pandemic while cooped up in homes. And six days later the script for ‘Malcolm & Marie’ was ready.