Zendaya’s Monumental 2026: From ‘Euphoria’ to ‘Dune’ and Beyond
At 29, Zendaya is poised for a landmark year in 2026, balancing a diverse range of projects from the highly anticipated third installment of Dune to the return of the acclaimed series Euphoria. The actress, producer, and fashion icon continues to demonstrate a pinpoint precision in choosing projects that solidify her position as one of Hollywood’s most fascinating figures.
The Drama with Robert Pattinson
Zendaya will star alongside Robert Pattinson in The Drama, a new film from A24 directed by Kristoffer Borgli, known for Dream Scenario (2023). She will play Emma Harwood, a bookseller from Baton Rouge who enters Boston high society on the eve of her wedding to an art historian portrayed by Pattinson. The film blends bourgeois chronicle, awkward humor, and subtle cruelties. Pattinson revealed that a conversation with Zendaya on the set of The Drama sparked his desire to join the cast of Dune: Part Three, and Zendaya playfully responded, “I know a guy.”
The Drama (2026) is scheduled for release in theaters on April 1st, 2026.
A New Season of Euphoria
After years of delays, the third season of Euphoria is set to premiere on April 13th, 2026, on HBO Max. Filming began in 2025, with the season reportedly requiring extensive work per episode and a substantial budget. The new season is expected to explore the long-term consequences of addiction, grief, and fame, with social media as a central backdrop. Zendaya reprises her role as Rue, a character grappling with withdrawal and hallucinatory visions.
The cast includes Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Rosalía, and Sharon Stone.
Zendaya as Athena in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey
Zendaya joins an all-star cast in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, set to release on July 15th, 2026. She will portray Athena, the strategic goddess guiding Odysseus (Matt Damon) through his journey. The film, shot entirely in IMAX 70 mm, also stars Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal. A six-minute prologue will be unveiled in cinemas as a teaser.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Zendaya will return as Michelle “MJ” Jones in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth installment in the Marvel saga, scheduled for release on July 29th, 2026. She will reunite with Tom Holland, who plays Peter Parker, in a story where no one remembers their relationship. The film will also feature Jon Bernthal as the Punisher, Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, and the introduction of new antagonists. Sadie Sink, known for her role in Stranger Things, also joins the cast.
The Third and Final Installment of Dune
Dune: Part Three, slated for release on December 16th, 2026, will tackle Dune Messiah, the second novel in Frank Herbert’s series. Zendaya’s character, Chani, is expected to take center stage, witnessing and enduring the messianic and inhuman drift of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet). The cast includes Robert Pattinson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Momoa, and Florence Pugh.