The Two Movies Zendaya Turned Down—and How They Shaped Her Rise

Zendaya has built just as much of her career on what she turns down as what she takes. That restraint has changed her path in ways a lot of young stars never get to enjoy. She went from Disney Channel kid to Emmys with Euphoria and strong notices for Malcolm & Marie, and still kept saying no when a project felt thin or rushed. A few big crossroads explain how she plays the long game.

The Aaliyah movie she bailed on

Back at 17, Zendaya signed on to star in a Lifetime biopic about the late R&B icon. She was set to re-record several Aaliyah songs for the film, which was moving fast. Then the complications hit. Aaliyah's family publicly objected, and her uncle Barry Hankerson (also her former manager) argued a TV movie was too small a tribute. On top of that, music rights got messy and the production felt like it was sprinting to the finish line.

Zendaya also dealt with the usual background noise about whether she was the 'right' person to play Aaliyah. She pushed back, pointing out that performance matters more than perfect resemblance or identity math. In the end, she walked away because the project did not meet her standards. Her take: admiration for Aaliyah meant doing it right or not doing it at all. She has said she would still be open to playing Aaliyah someday if a version comes together with the time, rights, and care it deserves.

The Disney gig she wanted and did not get

Before the superhero era, Zendaya really wanted in on Descendants, the Disney Channel musical about the kids of classic villains. It premiered in 2015 and became one of the network's most-watched originals, launching several young stars. Zendaya auditioned multiple times and still did not land a role. Cornelia Frame, then Disney's VP of casting and talent relations, later said Zendaya really went for it, it just did not break her way. Frame also noted that these things have a way of redirecting you to the right job at the right time.

That is exactly what happened. Not being tied up with a Disney musical freed Zendaya to join Spider-Man: Homecoming, which is where MJ enters the picture. Missing out stung, sure, but it opened the door you actually remember.

The year of no

After her Disney run, Zendaya found herself reading a lot of scripts that felt interchangeable. In a 2021 GQ cover story, she said she spent a full year passing on every offer because the parts did not give her anything to grow on. Most of them existed to prop up a guy's storyline, not carry one of their own.

"They usually serve the purpose of helping the male character get to where they need to go... They don't really have an arc of their own."

She could have taken those roles and been fine. Instead, she waited for the ones that stretched her. That patience shows.

Quick snapshots

• Aaliyah biopic (Lifetime): TV movie in development; Zendaya was 17 and set to re-record songs. Family pushback (Barry Hankerson called a TV film too small), music rights trouble, and a rushed timeline led her to exit. She has said she would do it in the future if it is done properly. The project stalled after she left.
• Descendants (Disney Channel, 2015): Became one of the network's most-watched originals; concept centered on the children of famous villains; stars included Dove Cameron and Sofia Carson. Zendaya auditioned many times, did not get it, and the timing freed her up for Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Why this matters

It is easy to stack credits. It is harder to build a career with intention. Zendaya picked the second route, even when it meant turning down money, attention, or a sure thing. As Hollywood keeps rethinking what a lead role for a woman actually looks like, her 'no' has been just as powerful as her 'yes.'

What do you think was the pivot that changed her path the most? The Aaliyah decision? Missing Descendants and landing MJ? Or the year-long cold shoulder to bland scripts? Drop your take below.