3 Facts About Zendaya’s Quarantine Movie Malcolm & Marie
Euphoria fans expressed their devastation when the second season halted filming. However, the show’s creator Sam Levinson and star Zendaya collaborated with John David Washing ton to grace us with Malcolm & Marie. According to Levinson himself, the movie pays homage to great Hollywood romances. It remains “an ode to the great Hollywood romances as well as a heartfelt expression of faith in the medium’s future.”
3 Facts About Zendaya’s Quarantine Movie Malcolm & Marie
Premise
The upcoming written stars Zendaya and John David as the titular characters. Malcolm & Marie revolves around a filmmaker (Washington), returning home with his girlfriend after a celebratory movie premiere. Together, they wait for what’s sure to be an imminent critical and financial success. The evening, however, takes a sudden turn as revelations about their relationship begin to surface, testing the strength of their love. Speaking to Level, Zendaya and Washington also described the intricacies of their characters’ relationship and searing confrontation.
Zendaya
“Marie, to me, is pushing the argument, throwing fuel on the fire. She walks in, ready to start an argument, she knows what triggers him and she pushes his buttons over and over. She knows exactly what buttons to push, she ignites the fire, and she kind of likes it. If we try to say who’s worse, I’m so interested to see where people fall on either side.”
John David Washington
“There will be something in this film you can relate to. Maybe you don’t fight and argue like Malcolm and Marie. But, maybe you know the vulnerability that they each show. Maybe you feel intensity toward your work the way Malcolm does or anxiety about your work the way Marie does.”
Filmed in the middle of the height of the COVID-19 pandemic
Aside from being filmed in black-and-white using a 35mm film, another impressive fact about this Malcolm & Marie is it was filmed in the middle of the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with director Sam Levinson, Zendaya, Washington, they had a limited crew who gathered with them at the eco-conscious and architecturally stunning Caterpillar House in Carmel, California. The filming took place from June 17 to July 2.
They had many health and safety guidelines put into place. Everyone tested for COVID-19 and quarantined for two weeks before the shooting began. A producer developed health precautions for the set with the help of production unions and a doctor’s guidance. Cast and crew members wore masks and continued to follow the social distancing rules. They also can’t leave the property.
As for food, on the other hand, a chef quarantined with them on the premises. Their food remained individually wrapped rather than the usual buffet style. Zendaya and Washington were in charge of dressing themselves up and putting their mics on. Crew members aren’t even allowed to be near them without proper protective gear. They remained careful as temperature checks were taken at the beginning and end of each day. The crew would also sanitize the set and get regularly and under strict instructions, people will remain at least six feet apart unless necessary.
Released on Netflix
Netflix acquired the worldwide rights to Levinson’s witty, lush, romantic drama for $30-million. Malcolm & Marie arrives to select theaters in January and on Netflix on Friday, February 5, 2021. The streaming giant purchased the film in a major sale out of the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival. This followed their $20-million deal for the Halle Berry-directed Bruised, the fest’s first major deal made before the film’s premiere.
Watch the trailer here:
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