How Zendaya Managed to Film “Malcolm & Marie” During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Filming took place during June and July.

With the coronavirus pandemic forcing people around the globe to stay at home, many movies and television shows have had to postpone production. However, it appears one crew found a way to film an entire flick under strict COVID-19 safety protocols.

Deadline has revealed that Euphoria creator Sam Levinson has shot a secret film during the pandemic called Malcolm & Marie, starring Zendaya and John David Washington. 

It was filmed between 17 June and 2 July at the Caterpillar House in Carmel, California.

Zendaya gave everyone a taste of the movie earlier today, sharing a picture on Twitter.

While we're mostly just happy we get to watch Zendaya in another flick, we were also left wondering how they possibly managed to film an entire movie so quickly during the pandemic.

According to Deadline, it all started when Levinson received a call on 16 March to let him know that Euphoria's Season 2 had shut down. Apparently Zendaya phoned him and asked whether he could write and direct a movie during quarantine.

From there, Levinson came up with Malcolm & Marie, and he thought Washington would be the perfect fit to star alongside Zendaya. 

When it came to filming, the cast lived in "separate dwellings" for two weeks before they arrived at the Caterpillar House. Whenever the cast or crew members gathered, they wore masks and practiced social distancing.

Rehearsals were done in the parking lot, so the actors could keep their distance from one another, and no one was allowed to leave or enter the property during filming.

There was also an extensive list of safety measures put into place.

Only disposable plastic cups and utensils could be used, and each cast and crew member had their own bathroom and hotel room. No physical contact was allowed at any time either, and they were advised to use tissues to open door handles at the shooting location.

Additionally, everyone had to check their temperature at the beginning and end of every day. 

zendaya on her way to save 2020 pic.twitter.com/IvEP5NOJqg

— alisha 🕸 (@dutchdaya) July 8, 2020

At this stage, there's not a whole lot known about the flick's plot. Although, we know that it's got a similar vibe to Netflix's Marriage Story. Plus, it'll resonate with social themes the world is experiencing at the moment.

No release date for the film has been confirmed yet, but we'll keep you updated. 

Honestly, Malcolm & Marie should probably win an Oscar just for pulling this off.

Zendaya will win an Oscar.

— Predictors (@ppredictors) July 9, 2020

Header Image: Kristy Sparow / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images