‘After the Hunt’: Zendaya Was Originally Cast for Ayo Edebiri’s Role
During an interview with Deadline, cinematographer Malik Hassan Sayeed revealed that Zendaya was initially set to portray the role eventually played by Ayo Edebiri in Luca Guadagnino’s film “After the Hunt.”
“Zendaya was actually supposed to play the Ayo Edebiri role in Luca Guadagnino’s film, but dropped out,” said Sayeed.
The movie began production in July 2024. At that time, Zendaya’s schedule was notably light, as she only worked on one project that year — “The Drama,” filmed in October. The decision to step away from “After the Hunt” likely came from her personal choice rather than scheduling conflicts.
In hindsight, her move appears sensible. The film was met with negative critical reception, criticized for its political stance, and ultimately failed at the box office. Despite a modest setting — mostly confined to rooms and offices — the production astonishingly cost $80 million.
Author’s Summary
Zendaya’s decision to exit “After the Hunt” seems prudent in retrospect, as the film struggled critically and financially despite its high budget and star associations.