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Zendaya Shares How Tom Holland Played Role in 'Odyssey' Casting (Exclusive)
Zendaya entered a state of euphoria when she was cast in The Odyssey.
But before she took on the role of the Greek goddess Athena, she admitted she “kind of cheated a little bit” because her husband Tom Holland had already been cast as Odysseus’ son Telemachus.
“Tom had the script at home before I got the call,” Zendaya told Justin Sylvester during the Live from E! Stream at The Odyssey premiere in New York City July 14. “So, I did a little peeky peek.”
And the 29-year-old found director Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic poem—also starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron and Lupita Nyong’o and hitting theaters July 17—to be “extraordinary” and “so moving.”
“You would think a piece of literature like this is almost impossible to adapt,” she continued, “but if there's anyone who can do it, it's Mr. Nolan.”
Before she was offered her role, Zendaya previously described how she and Tom—who confirmed last month that the pair had, indeed, tied the knot recently—reacted to his casting in the Oppenheimer director’s latest project.
“He got the call [and] we freaked out,” she told Access Hollywood in an interview published July 6. “It was very exciting. My heart was so full for him.”
Plus, the Euphoria star said she was planning to get the inside scoop from Tom about working with Christopher.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Universal Pictures; Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
“I was like, ‘I'm gonna be calling you.’ Like, ‘What was it like?’ Trying to hear all the things,” she added. “I was just so excited and definitely peeking over his shoulder while he was reading because as a fan, I'm curious and I wanted to [know] what is Nolan gonna do next.”
But after the dust settled on Zendaya’s excitement for Tom’s casting in The Odyssey, the Spider-Man actor delivered a big surprise.
“He came back from another meeting [with Christopher] and he was like, ‘Read this again, but now read it with this character in mind,’” she explained. “I was incredibly grateful that I just even got to be a part of it, too. I didn't see that coming.”
For a look at Zendaya and Tom’s romance over the years, keep reading…
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
July 2016: Comic-Con Fun
Tom Holland and Zendaya shared a laugh during the Marvel panel event at San Diego Comic-Con International 2016 in San Diego, Calif, ahead of the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
May 2017: MTV Movie & TV Awards
The Spider-Man: Homecoming stars spoke onstage at the award show in Los Angeles.
Gabriel Maseda/NurPhoto via Getty Images
June 2017: Promoting in Spain
Tom and Zendaya attended a photo call for Spider-Man: Homecoming in Madrid.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
June 2019: Par-tay
The duo appeared at the after-party for the premiere of Spider-Man: Far From Home in Hollywood, Calif.
Tom Holland/Instagram
September 2021: Birthday Shoutout
Months after their romance was confirmed, Tom gushed over his onscreen and offscreen girlfriend.
"My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays," he wrote, referring to Zendaya by her character's name, in his Sept. 1 post. "Gimme a call when your up xxx"
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage/ Karwai Tang
December 2021: Back to London
The two attended a photo call for Spider-Man: No Way Home at The Old Sessions House in London.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM
December 2021: Promoting Spider-Man: No Way Home
Tom and Zendaya spoke during SiriusXM Radio's Town Hall with the cast of Spider-Man: No Way Home in New York City.
Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images
December 2021: Spider-Man: No Way Home Premiere in L.A.
The actress, in a custom Valentino gown, and Tom, in a Prada suit, posed for pictures at the premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home in Los Angeles.
Zendaya/Instagram
December 2021: Celebrating a Dream Fulfilled
After their third Spider-Man film hit theaters, Zendaya heaped praise over her leading man.
"My Spider-Man, I’m so proud of you," she gushed, "some things never change and good thing @tomholland2013."
Gotham/GC Images
February 2022: Taking in a New York Minute
The duo dressed to impress as they enjoyed a belated Valentine's Day night on the town in NYC Feb. 16.
June 2023: Tom's 27th Birthday
Zendaya shared this sweet shot of her boyfriend enjoying the water in honor of his birthday.
June 2023: Tom's "Sexiest" Pic Ever
Tom unveiled this beauty for his 27th birthday, joking on Instagram, "A gift from me to you. I thought I'd share possibly the sexiest picture ever taken of me!" Zendaya was into it, reacting with a heart-eye emoji.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
March 2024: Acing a Tennis Date
Zendaya channeled her inner Tashi Duncan ahead of her movie Challengers' release during a tennis outing with Tom and her longtime assistant Darnell Appling at the Men's Final of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif.
Splash by Shutterstock
April 2024: All Smiles
The two enjoyed a night out in London.
Ricky Vigil M / Justin E Palmer / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
May 2024: In Fair Verona
Zendaya supported Tom after the debut of his play Romeo and Juliet in London, where the pair were seen holding hands following the show.
XNY/Star Max/GC Images
October 2024: Bero Launch Party
As Tom debuted his non-alcoholic beer company, Bero, Zendaya was by his side in a coordinating burgundy look.
Tom Holland/Instagram
November 2024: Low Key Date Night
While visiting Zendaya in Newbury, Massachusetts, where Zendaya was filming her movie The Drama, the duo popped out for a pint of Bero.
“I’m heading out to a bar to have my first Bero in the wild,” Tom, wrote on is Instagram story alongside a shot of his longtime girlfriend smiling in the background. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”
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