Zendaya says she would love to work with Ryan Coogler.
As seen in a preview for an upcoming episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show, the 29-year-old star cited the Oscar-winning filmmaker when asked who she'd love to work with that she hasn't yet.
“You know, I would love to work with Ryan Coogler and for years I’ve felt this way, since Fruitvale Station,” she said, as seen in the video linked above. “I thought that was such a beautiful and powerful film. But I’m from Oakland too and I remember when that happened.”
Zendaya was referencing the 2009 death of 22-year-old Oscar Grant, who was killed by a BART officer at Oakland's Fruitvale Station. The events leading to Grant’s death were adapted by Coogler for his 2013 film starring Michael B. Jordan.
“[Coogler] means so much to the world but he also means so much to us,” she continued. “I always joke, I’m like, ‘I know I don’t know you. But I feel like you’re my cousin, you know what I mean? He sounds like my family, his accent is so strong, and so Oakland.
“He just makes beautiful work, absolutely beautiful work. So talented,” she concluded.
Coogler’s Sinners picked up four Oscars at the 2026 Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score for Ludwig Göransson, and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan.
Zendaya is currently starring in A24’s The Drama, which hit theaters on April 3. You can also catch her on the third season of HBO’s Euphoria when it returns on Sunday, April 12.
Her appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show airs on Friday, April 3.
