Zendaya has revealed that her husband, Tom Holland, was the one who surprised her with the news that she had been cast in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey, describing the moment as one in which she “freaked out.”

Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the actress recalled how Holland first learned about the project after receiving a call from Nolan.

Zendaya celebrates Tom Holland’s opportunity

Zendaya said her initial excitement was entirely focused on Holland’s casting, explaining that she never expected to be involved in the film herself.

“Well Tom got the call, Christopher Nolan called. My heart was just so full. I was so excited for him,” she said.

“I mean he’s the best and he deserves this.”

The actress added that she is not only Holland’s biggest supporter but also a longtime admirer of Nolan’s work.

“And obviously I’m his biggest fan but I’m also a Chris Nolan fan. So when that kind of opportunity comes around, I was just so excited. I didn’t even put myself in that equation at all. Like we already won, you know?”

Secret script led to surprise reveal

Zendaya admitted she could not resist taking a quick look at the screenplay while it was at their home.

“So he had another meeting and he had the script, I may have done a little, you know, peeky peek. I gotta know, there’s a Christopher Nolan script in my house,” she joked.

After Holland returned from his meeting, she eagerly asked him about the experience.

Instead of simply discussing the project, Holland asked her to reread the screenplay “with Athena in mind,” revealing that she had been cast in the role.

“I freaked out,” Zendaya said, adding that she was especially grateful Holland was able to share the news with her because “it was so special.”

Star-studded cast

The Odyssey features an ensemble cast led by Matt Damon as Odysseus, alongside Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron and several other Hollywood stars.

The cast has spent the past several weeks on a global promotional tour ahead of the film’s theatrical release.

About The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan’s latest film is an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, following King Odysseus as he embarks on a perilous journey home after the Trojan War in an attempt to reunite with his wife, Penelope.

The highly anticipated film is scheduled to open in cinemas on July 17.