Due to the ongoing global pandemic, film and TV productions from all around the world have been temporarily shut down for these past three months. Recently, it was reported that some high-profile productions including Jurassic World: Dominion are already gearing up to restart filming later this month.
However, it seems like this wasn’t the case for Euphoria creator Sam Levinson’s forthcoming drama film titled Malcolm & Marie as Deadline brings word that the film had already quietly gone into production during the pandemic. Starring Spider-Man: Homecoming star Zendaya and Golden Globe nominee John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman), the film also recently wrapped its 16-day production in Carmel, California which reportedly lasted from June 17 – July 2. Zendaya posted on Twitter to share a first-look image of her and Washington’s characters which you can check out below!
Malcolm & Marie pic.twitter.com/99RWzgLFbD
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) July 8, 2020
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The plot details for Malcolm & Marie are being kept under wraps but it is being likened to Netflix’s acclaimed 2019 film Marriage Story. The film is also expected to feature a number of social themes that are in line with what the world’s currently experiencing.
The idea for the project first started when Zendaya contacted Levinson, asking that if it was possible for him to write and direct a movie during the quarantine. After a few days, Levinson came up with the story for the Zendaya-led film. In order to make this project a reality, Levinson and production partner Ashley Levinson (Queen & Slim) along with Kevin Turen, Washington, and Zendaya personally financed the project during the pre-production and production stages.
Before and during filming, producers reportedly implemented strict protocols to ensure the safety of the cast and crew and to meet with the necessary requirements by the WGA, DGA, and SAG. One of the safety measures exercised was that no one was allowed to leave the property they rented as the cast and crew had their own designated dwellings. Another guideline was that no crew member could be in close contact with the actors without proper personal protective equipment.
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Malcolm & Marie is executive produced by Aaron L. Gilbert, Will Greenfield, Washington, Zendaya, and Scott Mescudi better known as Kid Cudi along with Katia Washington, Harrison Kreiss, Stuart Manashil and Kenneth Yu. Before filming started, New Regency’s Yariv Milchan and Michael Schafer got wind of the upcoming film and immediately boarded the project as executive producers and to support financing.
Both Zendaya and Washington have been enjoying a steady rise in their careers these past recent years as they’ve starred in a few high-profile projects. The Euphoria lead star will next be seen in Denis Villeneuve’s star-studded sci-fi remake of Dune, and in Sony and Marvel Studios’ upcoming third installment to their Tom Holland-led Spider-Man films. Meanwhile, Washington will be leading Christopher Nolan’s newest film Tenet which is scheduled to hit theaters this August.
(Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images & Jeremychanphotography/WireImage via Getty Images)
