ZENDAYA TO LEAD UNTITLED ALEX GARLAND SCI-FI FILM FOR A24 — SHOOTING IN 2027

Zendaya will lead a brand-new, still-untitled science-fiction feature written and directed by Alex Garland for A24, with principal photography expected to begin in 2027. The news broke on October 15, 2026, through trade coverage in Deadline and Variety, and was quickly picked up by outlets including thewrap.com, filmofilia and particle.news.

The film marks the latest collaboration between Garland and A24, the studio that has backed nearly all of his directorial features. Story details are being kept firmly under wraps for now, and no additional casting has been announced — but with production pencilled in for next year, more news is expected in the coming months.

The Facts

Project: Untitled science-fiction feature


Director & Writer: Alex Garland
Studio: A2

Plot: Not yet revealed, according to the Deadline/Variety trade reports.

Supporting Cast: Not yet announced, according to the Deadline/Variety trade reports.

Release Date: Not yet announced — principal photography is slated for 2027, according to the Deadline/Variety trade reports.

Zendaya's Blockbuster 2026

Zendaya's 2026 has been nothing short of historic. She headlined Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, swung back into cinemas as MJ in Spider-Man: Brand New Day — which has grossed $2.51 billion worldwide to become the No. 1 movie of the year, according to thewrap — and starred opposite Robert Pattinson in The Drama, which pulled in $135 million worldwide per reports.

The year is not over yet: Zendaya returns to Arrakis in Dune: Part Three, landing in theatres this December (the exact date remains fluid, with sources disagreeing on the final slot). For a deeper look at her journey, read our Zendaya biography, and for the full breakdown see Dune: Part Three (2026) release date and cast.

For more on upcoming releases, check out Josephine (2026) — release date, cast, trailer and the Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) movie guide.

Watch the Official Video

Watch the official trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Zendaya as MJ (Sony Pictures India):

FAQ

What is the Zendaya–Alex Garland project?
An untitled science-fiction feature written and directed by Alex Garland for A24, with Zendaya attached to lead the cast.

When does shooting begin?
Principal photography is currently slated for 2027, according to the initial Deadline and Variety trade reports.

What else has Garland made for A24?
Garland's A24 credits include Ex Machina, Men, Civil War and Warfare. He also has an Elden Ring film in post-production, reportedly dated for March 3, 2028.

What is next for Zendaya in 2026?
After The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Drama, she closes out the year with Dune: Part Three, arriving in theatres this December.