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- Zendaya and Alex Garland: a new sci‑fi collaboration
- Garland’s track record with A24 and the sci‑fi thread
- How this move fits Zendaya’s career momentum
- What to expect from production and release timing
- A24’s recent rise and how this project fits the studio’s slate
- Why the pairing matters for fans and industry watchers
Zendaya has quietly agreed to headline a new science-fiction feature from Alex Garland at A24, a high-profile pairing that follows a banner year for both the actor and the indie studio. Production is slated to begin in 2027, while Garland’s latest large-scale project — the studio’s adaptation of the video game Elden Ring — is slated for release in March 2028.
Zendaya and Alex Garland: a new sci‑fi collaboration
The announcement from A24 confirms Zendaya will star in Garland’s next film. Few plot details are public. The start date, however, is set for sometime in 2027.
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Zendaya joins Alex Garland for A24 sci-fi: must-see star-powered pairing
- Star attached: Zendaya
- Writer-director: Alex Garland
- Studio: A24
- Production begins: 2027
Garland’s track record with A24 and the sci‑fi thread
Garland has become one of A24’s most frequent directors.
- Ex Machina — Garland’s breakthrough as a director.
- Men — a tense psychological piece with A24 backing.
- Civil War — a near‑future speculative drama that shattered box office expectations for the studio.
- Warfare — co-directed with former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza.
- Elden Ring — A24’s most expensive in‑house production, wrapped earlier this year and due March 2028.
Across these films, Garland has returned repeatedly to science-fiction and speculative themes, blending ideas about technology, society, and existential peril.
How this move fits Zendaya’s career momentum
Zendaya arrives on the project after a blockbuster 2026. She featured in several major releases and earned television acclaim the same year.
- Box office run: Multiple 2026 films drove her year to nearly $4.5 billion worldwide.
- Television honors: A Best Actress Emmy nomination for her role in Euphoria.
- Upcoming: Zendaya appears in Dune: Part Three, which opens on IMAX screens starting December 18.
What to expect from production and release timing
A24 says filming will begin in 2027, which suggests a multi‑phase schedule before any wide release. Garland’s recent projects have ranged in scale, and this new film will join a slate that includes both intimate thrillers and big, effects‑driven productions.
Key dates and milestones
- Production start: 2027
- Elden Ring release: March 2028 (for context on Garland’s current workload)
A24’s recent rise and how this project fits the studio’s slate
A24 enjoyed a standout year at the box office, crossing the $200 million global milestone and releasing multiple hits. The studio’s momentum includes both breakout genre films and prestige titles.
- Backrooms helped push A24’s box office total over $200M.
- The Drama and Primetime kept the studio in the headlines.
- These results helped A24 outperform larger competitors during the summer window.
Why the pairing matters for fans and industry watchers
Garland’s distinct voice in science fiction and Zendaya’s star power create strong industry interest. Their collaboration signals A24’s intent to continue blending auteur cinema with wider mainstream appeal.
- Fans of speculative storytelling will watch for Garland’s next thematic turns.
- Zendaya’s involvement raises the project’s commercial profile.
- A24 benefits from pairing recognized talent with its indie brand.
