John David Washingtonisn’t “concerned” about criticism over the 12-year age difference between himself and hisMalcolm & Mariecostar,Zendaya, because he is, in fact, the one “learning from her.”
In a recent interview withVariety, the 36-year-old actor and son ofDenzel Washingtonsaid of Zendaya, 24, “People are going to see in this film how much of a woman she is.”
“She has far more experience than I do in the industry,” Washington admitteded. “I’ve only been in it for seven years. She’s been in it longer, so I’m learning from her. I’m the rookie.”
Washington continued on to say that he had been “leaning on” Zendaya — who had her breakout role in 2010 asRocky Blue on Disney Channel’sShake It Up— “for a lot.”
“Some of the stories she’s shared about what she’s had to go through with Twitter and everything,” he said. “I appreciated her wisdom and discernment when it comes to this business. I admire that.”
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John David Washington (L); Zendaya.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Matt Baron/Shutterstock
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And what Washington is “really excited for people to see when the film is released,” he toldVariety,is “how mature she is inthis role.”
“We’re talking about versatility, and [director Sam Levinson] and Zendaya brought both,” he noted.
Washington and Zendaya secretly shotMalcolm & Marieduring theCOVID-19 pandemicbetween June 17 and July 2 at the Caterpillar House, an environmentally conscious ranch in California. All filming was reportedly done with various acting and directing guilds' guidelines and coronavirus safety protocols in place.
And it was a process Washington tellsVarietyhe “felt comfortable” and “safe” during.
“I felt the need to do this so much that I was willing to risk it,” he said. “Everybody had their own cabin; we had to get testedbeforewe got there. Wegot testedwhenwe got there. And then we tested a day before we checked in. Nobody was on the ranch except for us. So as long as nobody left the facility, I felt safe.”
John David Washington and Zendaya inMalcolm & Marie.Netflix
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The plot ofMalcolm & Mariesees its two stars explore the different facets of being in love.
Thetrailer, which dropped Friday, begins with Malcolm (Washington) and Marie (Zendaya) returning home from a film premiere, and launching into an argument as they wait for the reviews of his movie.
While it’s clear Malcolm and Marie are in love, they both grapple with what that means and how a committed relationship works throughout the powerful trailer.
Malcolm & Marielands on Netflix Feb. 5.
source: people.com
