Zendaya already has a résumé that most actors could only dream about, but there is still one filmmaker she is hoping to add to the list: Ryan Coogler. 

In a preview of her upcoming appearance on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” the actress said she would “love to work with Ryan Coogler,” making it clear the admiration has been going on for years. 

Zendaya said her interest in collaborating with Coogler goes back to his 2013 directorial debut, “Fruitvale Station,” which she described as “such a beautiful and powerful film.” She also pointed to their shared Oakland roots, saying that connection matters to her and has only deepened her respect for the director’s work. 

That shared background makes the idea of a future collaboration feel even more special, especially since Coogler has become one of the most celebrated filmmakers of his generation. He has directed major films including “Creed,” “Black Panther,” and “Sinners,” and the two artists’ shared hometown history gives fans an easy reason to start dreaming up what a collaboration could look like. 

The timing may not be on their side as both creators are working hard! Zendaya is in the midst of a packed 2026: she is set to appear in “The Drama,” “The Odyssey,” “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “Dune: Part Three,” and a new season of “Euphoria.” And Coogler currently has several projects in development, including an "X-Files" reboot and a "Black Panther" sequel. That busy slate only adds to the excitement around the possibility of the two collaborating. Zendaya saying publicly that Coogler remains a dream collaborator signals she’s thinking carefully about the kind of creative partnerships she wants next. 

Zendaya has built a career on range, precision, and star power, while Coogler has earned a reputation for telling emotionally grounded, culturally resonant stories on a massive scale, and now, he’s an Oscar winner. A partnership between the two would not just be a buzz-worthy casting move, it would also be a celebration of Oakland talent operating at the highest level. That is the kind of Black Hollywood moment that would blow up the box office, and people would absolutely show up for.