Zendaya’s much-anticipated biopic Be My Baby has finally received an exciting update, with acclaimed director Barry Jenkins joining the project. Jenkins, the Oscar-winning director of Moonlight and Mufasa, will take the helm, with Suspiria’s Dave Kajganich now writing the screenplay, replacing the initially attached Jackie Sibblies Drury.
The biopic, first announced in 2020, will see Zendaya portray legendary singer Ronnie Spector, a key member of the iconic girl group, The Ronettes. The film will explore Spector’s tumultuous relationship with producer Phil Spector, with deals already in place for both her life rights and her memoir of the same name.
In a bittersweet twist, Ronnie Spector had personally selected Zendaya to play her in the biopic before her passing in 2022. Spector was also set to serve as an executive producer on the film.
The update on Be My Baby comes as Zendaya continues to rise as one of Hollywood’s brightest stars. In addition to this biographical project, she is also set to star in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, alongside her boyfriend, Tom Holland, as well as voice a character in Shrek 5 and appear in The Drama with Robert Pattinson.
Zendaya has spoken about transitioning from playing teen characters to more mature roles. Reflecting on her career, she shared with The Hollywood Reporter’s Actress Roundtable, “For so long, I was playing a teenager, way past when I was one. Being able to play Rue in Euphoria has been one of the greatest gifts of my life, but there comes a time where you’ve got to start playing your own age and beyond.”
Zendaya’s shift to adult roles has already begun, with Challengers marking her first lead role in a film, as well as her involvement in the production process. She admitted the experience was both thrilling and daunting but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play such a complex character.
Fans of Zendaya and biographical dramas alike will certainly be looking forward to what Be My Baby brings to the big screen, especially with Barry Jenkins at the helm.