Between Luca Guadagnino’s tennis-centric love triangle “Challengers” and taking part in Chani reverse Timothée Chalamet’s Paul in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two,” Zendaya owned 2024. Just ask Nicole Kidman, who makes some extent of telling the 28-year-old actor that she paid cash to see each movies in theaters. “One I noticed at midnight — I used to be actually jet-lagged — and I used to be riveted,” Kidman says. “I’m a Dunie!” Zendaya’s present place in Hollywood isn’t not like that of a younger Kidman, who had already labored with Tony Scott, Gus Van Sant and Jane Campion when she was that age. But Kidman, now 57, has discovered loads since then, and as they discuss, she delves into her function within the A24 psychosexual drama “Babygirl” whereas additionally taking Zendaya via her playbook for constructing an imaginative and dangerous — however emotionally regulated — profession. First, although, Kidman is dying to listen to how the “Dune” crew managed to make the sci-fi world really feel so lived in. “Denis did this stunning, sweeping shot of the dawn, looking on the dunes,” Zendaya tells her about Chani’s first kiss with Paul. “And I let you know, nothing modified about that shot. That’s not particular results. It was so attractive and unreal. I used to be like, ‘This is our planet.’”
Alexi Lubomirski for Variety
NICOLE KIDMAN: As an actor, you get to see the world, and also you’re not simply visiting as a vacationer. You’re working with crews, with folks in these locations, so you actually turn out to be part of it. If you’re working with the identical crew time and again, it’s virtually like telepathy begins to occur between all people.
ZENDAYA: Do you’re feeling such as you discovered that while you have been doing “Babygirl”? Because that’s such an intimate expertise, and you need to really feel so protected. You must really feel protected.
KIDMAN: Yeah. The cinematographer and digicam operator is a large a part of that. We’re all on this; it’s not simply the actors. Before you realize it, you’re all within the room collectively, however you’re not conscious of the place all people is. It was very unfastened. Our director, Halina Reijn, created a really heat surroundings, but it surely was additionally exploratory. You could also be sitting on this chair, after which all of a sudden the scene is on the ground. You can are available with this plan, however the plan just isn’t going that can assist you, actually. Listening and responding, as we do in life, is the easiest way to get one thing particular. And you may inform. You’re listening proper now.
ZENDAYA: You can inform if somebody’s interested by what they’re going to say or what they’re going to do with their hand. I’ve caught myself doing that, while you dissociate mid-take. Or you begin pondering, “Why did I simply try this with my eye? That was a very bizarre selection.” I received requested loads in regards to the three-way kiss scene in [“Challengers”], and I used to be like, “Really, it’s a four-, five-, six-, seven-, eight-, nine-way kiss,” as a result of there’s so many individuals. There’s a digicam coming at us at a sure time. I do know that once I go from Mike [Faist] to Josh [O’Connor], when the digicam is available in, I gotta transfer again. There’s so many issues at play. When you choose tasks, are you targeted on the story, or do you concentrate on filmmakers you need to work with? Is it completely different each time?
KIDMAN: Yeah. You?
ZENDAYA: It’s completely different each time. I used to be despatched the [“Challengers”] script by Amy Pascal. I really did a mock desk learn at my agent’s home, as a result of all people is aware of I’m unhealthy at studying scripts — I get sidetracked. It’s onerous to maintain my consideration on one factor. I simply cherished it. It was heartbreaking, but in addition humorous, however horny, however round sports activities — however probably not about sports activities. And she was a feminine character that felt very unapologetic. It wasn’t just like the harm made her this fashion; she simply is who she is. And then we despatched it to [Guadagnino]. Our first Zoom name, I used to be so nervous. I used to be like, “Maybe he doesn’t need to work with me! What if he [doesn’t] even like me?” But he simply had such a deep understanding of those characters. It’s case by case for me. Sometimes it’s the director; typically it’s the mission.
KIDMAN: Sometimes it’s simply the thought. Even if it’s not realized, I’m prepared to leap off the cliff and check out, understanding that it could splat. But you may’t be scared of the splat. My journey via the life I need to reside is experimental. I need to study, uncover, develop and alter. I need to be modified. Change me. Take me to a spot that’s completely different. As lengthy as we go in kind of obsessed, then one thing’s going to return out of it. Because I really like obsession.
ZENDAYA: With —?
KIDMAN: With different folks. I like us all being utterly obsessed. And looking for. And attempting.
ZENDAYA: Every time you begin a brand new mission, it’s a threat.
KIDMAN: Except it wasn’t for “Babygirl.” As quickly as I heard it was referred to as “Babygirl,” I’m like, “Yeah. I need to be the babygirl.” And a lot of it’s the chemistry. [Reijn] was like, “What about Harris Dickinson?”
ZENDAYA: Sometimes the celebrities simply align. All the suitable items begin falling into place.
KIDMAN: And you just like the folks. We’re having such good conversations, identical to we’d be having round a dinner desk. The intimacy, and the flexibility to share your deepest, darkest secrets and techniques. I’m hooked on that.
ZENDAYA: Let’s skip all of the small discuss. Let’s go there.
KIDMAN: Who are you? What is that this world? What’s occurred to you? I’d go and sit with Halina on the ground. How I begin is at all times “Can we sit on the ground and discuss?” And she would have some physicalities that she would recommend, and he or she’s very free together with her physique, which is nice. Give me some issues that aren’t my preliminary instincts, after which I can adapt. I’m like a sponge. That’s what I see performing as. You’re a porous creature.
ZENDAYA: Taking it in.
KIDMAN: And then it comes out of you otherwise.
Alexi Lubomirski for Variety
ZENDAYA: I’m very self-critical, however being on units is the one place that I really feel spontaneous and free. I don’t have to fret in regards to the penalties of those actions. It’s not my life. I can watch myself again as a result of I don’t see it as me. It’s one other individual we’re creating.
KIDMAN: I don’t watch the monitor.
ZENDAYA: Freaks you out?
KIDMAN: I don’t like to interrupt the place I’m. It’s virtually a trance. If the director’s talking off digicam, I can hear it, however I wouldn’t come out of character — persons are like, “She’s a little bit loopy.” I don’t just like the monitor. But somebody like Baz Luhrmann loves you to look. If you make me, I’ll, however my choice is to not.
ZENDAYA: I can type of divorce myself from it, as a result of to an extent, it’s not mine. It is the director’s as properly. You must have a stage of belief. Luca [shoots] one, two takes. He doesn’t prefer to shoot loads.
KIDMAN: That’s like Halina. Well, we didn’t have some huge cash both. We have been like, “Quick! We gotta!” I really like when you may go, “You really feel assured? Let’s go. Take me there.”
ZENDAYA: You talked about Baz Luhrmann. “Moulin Rouge!” is one in all my favourite films of all time. I may sing the entire soundtrack proper now for those who wanted me to.
KIDMAN: Please! Come on!
ZENDAYA: When I did “Greatest Showman,” I saved referencing it so many occasions.
KIDMAN: Baz was so formative for me. I’d at all times achieved these bizarre movies, however I used to be in my head going, “Gosh, I’m by no means going to get to do the good love story.” Suddenly, “Moulin Rouge!” got here, and I’m like, “A musical love story? I can’t do that.” Because I don’t really feel assured with the voice. Then he slowly constructed me up. Tell me about “Euphoria.” And Rue. Come on, spill the tea.
ZENDAYA: Well, I began in TV as a child. I did sitcoms.
KIDMAN: Oh, I do know. I’ve a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old, so we’ve grown up with you.
ZENDAYA: Oh, so sorry about that.
KIDMAN: We’re obsessed. This is the spotlight for me. I get to go dwelling and go, “Look, Sunday and Faith: Zendaya!”
ZENDAYA: Well, shoutout to your youngsters. Your mother’s cool. Do your homework.
KIDMAN: I’ve made it!
ZENDAYA: Anyway, you get so used to a personality. It looks like a pores and skin that you just simply slip on. Rue simply falls into me. I’m not interested by it a lot. It’s identical to, “Oh, she’s right here now.”
KIDMAN: It’s so intense. Do you stagger out of that have?
ZENDAYA: Yes and no. While it was emotionally and bodily draining, it was so rewarding. I used to be so pleased with it. It linked with folks.
KIDMAN: Are you doing extra? You’ve achieved two.
ZENDAYA: We’re imagined to do one other season. I’ve solely achieved two, but it surely looks like 5. One season of “Euphoria” is like, “Phew!”
KIDMAN: It’s actually taxing going via all of these feelings. Your [body] doesn’t …
ZENDAYA: … know that it’s faux.
Alexi Lubomirski for Variety
KIDMAN: No. So you’re placing your self via the trauma. On “Babygirl,” there have been components that are actually not within the movie that we shot that gave me — it was exhausting, but it surely was additionally simply emotion- ally disturbing. The identical once I was doing “Big Little Lies.” That was disturbing to my physique and my psyche, as a result of I couldn’t inform what was actual and what wasn’t. I’d have actual bruises throughout my again and physique.
ZENDAYA: I nonetheless have my Rue scars.
KIDMAN: My mind would say, “Hold on. You’re damage.” So I’ve achieved issues the place they clear my chakras and pray and get out the sage. Honestly, I’ll take no matter so I can step into the subsequent place free, and never scarred or broken or wounded. Which feels like I’m batshit loopy, however I’m not. Even only a therapeutic massage, the place all of a sudden you get a ravishing contact. That’s therapeutic, and now we have to heal. I’m nonetheless studying to not sacrifice my physique for the sake of the artwork, as a result of a part of me desires to. Having to worth who I’m, it’s a journey. But you appear very secure.
ZENDAYA: Seem — no, I’m kidding.
KIDMAN: You’ve received a fantastic system round you. Like having your canine right here.
ZENDAYA: That’s my emotional assist.
KIDMAN: I at all times say, if you’ll want to maintain your blankie until you’re 85, you retain your blankie. There’s no medal for giving that up.
ZENDAYA: I’m nonetheless studying, however I do know that I prefer to have enjoyable on my job. I don’t need to be depressing simply because the character’s depressing. On “Euphoria,” we’d have actually, actually powerful days. I’m like, “OK, gotta go cry and knock down a door actual fast,” after which I’ll come again like, “Hey, Cheesecake Factory? What are we getting for lunch?” I strive my greatest to go away them at work and go dwelling and reside my life and be an individual.
KIDMAN: I am going dwelling and I’ve a household, which is such a superb stability, as a result of you need to be current and never carrying all of it. When folks say, “Can you have got a child and nonetheless do the performing?” Yes, you may. It’s virtually higher, as a result of you may’t indulge your self. But on the identical time, the work does penetrate my goals or my sleep.
ZENDAYA: That does occur. The unconscious, I can’t management.
KIDMAN: Also, I simply am an enormous believer in working. Get in there. If you get provided a job, overthinking and going, “Well, is it adequate?” — so many actors don’t have a selection. Just leap in and do it. You by no means know the place it’s going to guide. And each job does produce one thing else.
ZENDAYA: Keeping that a part of your self alive.
KIDMAN: Stay grateful. Stay open and excited in regards to the alternatives.
ZENDAYA: Do you like TV or movie?
KIDMAN: I prefer it all. I like stage as properly.
ZENDAYA: I haven’t achieved that but. I’m so nervous.
KIDMAN: Come on! It’s nerve-racking, sure, however I believe you’d be fantastic.
ZENDAYA: We talked about attempting to not take it dwelling with you, and I really feel like delivering day by day to a reside viewers, that’s lots of vitality coming at you. Sometimes a number of occasions a day. It is such an emotionally demanding factor to do.
KIDMAN: But you’re in there collectively. And the vitality of the individuals who have paid to return, who need to be taken on an expertise, that’s extremely invigorating. Come on!
ZENDAYA: I do know. I do know. I’ve received to tear the Band-Aid off. Maybe sooner or later I’ll do it. I’ll cease backing out. One day, hopefully, we will work collectively. We can have enjoyable and discover.
KIDMAN: And then go, “What are you having for lunch?”
ZENDAYA: Exactly.
KIDMAN: Thanks, child.
