‘After the Hunt’: Zendaya Was Originally Supposed to Play Ayo Edebiri’s Role Before Dropping Out — World of Reel

Zendaya’s Role in "After the Hunt" Originally Intended

Malik Hassan Sayeed, the cinematographer for After the Hunt, revealed in an interview with Deadline that Zendaya was initially set to play the role that ultimately went to Ayo Edebiri in Luca Guadagnino’s film. However, Zendaya decided to drop out before production began.

Production and Scheduling Context

Production on After the Hunt started in July 2024. That year, Zendaya's schedule was relatively free, with only one filming commitment—The Drama—in October. It appears she may have chosen not to participate in the project, which would have reunited her with Guadagnino, who also directed her in Challengers.

Reception and Financial Performance

The film was harshly criticized, with many reviewers denouncing its reactionary politics. It also failed commercially, underperforming at the box office. The film’s $80 million production budget remains puzzling to many, considering much of the narrative unfolds in confined settings such as rooms and offices.

“After the Hunt cinematographer Malik Hassan Sayeed actually let it slip in a Deadline interview that Zendaya was actually supposed to play the Ayo Edebiri role in Luca Guadagnino’s film, but dropped out.”
“Seems like a wise decision on her part to drop out of the film, which was universally panned by critics, called out for its reactionary politics, and bombed at the box office.”

Summary: Zendaya was initially set to star in Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt but dropped out, a decision that proved prudent given the film’s critical and commercial failure.

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World of Reel World of Reel — 2025-11-05

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