Stalled Euphoria Season 3 Zendaya Rue Faces Rewrite and Potential Time Jump
HBO officially delayed the drama earlier this week, which was set to begin production later this spring. “HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season,” an HBO spokesperson told Variety. “In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”
The Backstory
The boss behind “Euphoria,” Sam Levinson, had a big idea for season 3 in 2023. He wanted the story to jump ahead five years, showing what life is like for the East Highland High crew after a big-time skip. HBO liked his plan and the early drafts of the scripts, especially the parts for characters played by Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi.
But once the writer’s strike ended and the full scripts were finished, Zendaya, the star of the show who’s won two Emmys and is now 27, wasn’t happy with them. Neither HBO nor Levinson’s team would comment on the situation, but it sounds like season 3 of “Euphoria” might be facing some delays and rewrites.
Also Read: Discover Behind Euphoria Season 3 Delay: Where the Show Goes After High School
The Current Situation
HBO recently announced an official delay for the show’s third season, originally slated to begin production this spring. The network remains committed to delivering an exceptional third season, but the path forward is uncertain.
The Vision Clash
The heart of the conflict lies in divergent visions for the show’s next chapter. Levinson, who wields full creative control, proposed an ambitious plan for Season 3: a five-year time jump into the future. This leap would explore the lives of the former students of East Highland High School as they navigate adulthood.
Early drafts of Levinson’s vision included compelling story arcs for characters portrayed by Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi. HBO initially embraced this concept, recognizing the show’s value in attracting elusive millennial and Gen Z viewers.
Zendaya’s Influence
Zendaya, the star of “Euphoria,” is on a roll! Her recent movie “Dune: Part Two” is a massive hit, raking over $580 million worldwide. This success, however, might be causing some delays for season 3 of “Euphoria.”
Zendaya’s creative symbiosis with Levinson began with “Euphoria” and continued with the Netflix film “Malcolm & Marie” during the pandemic. Her insights matter while she doesn’t possess veto power over the scripts. Levinson was already in overhaul mode, reworking the season due to the tragic loss of actor Angus Cloud, who passed away last July at age 25.
Creative Collaboration with Challenges:
Zendaya and the show’s creator, Sam Levinson, have worked well together. They even collaborated on a Netflix movie called “Malcolm & Marie” during the pandemic. While Zendaya doesn’t have the final say on the script, she does have a big voice as the star and an executive producer. She’s been giving Levinson feedback on where she sees the story going for season 3.
Unexpected Events and Delays:
Things haven’t been easy for the “Euphoria” team. One of the actors, Angus Cloud, sadly passed away from an overdose in 2023. His character was a big part of the initial plan for season 3, so Levinson had to rethink things. Later that year, another producer on the show, Kevin Turen, also passed away unexpectedly. These losses were tough on everyone involved and slowed down the creative process for the new season.
Things got complicated behind the scenes of “Euphoria” after creator Sam Levinson turned in his revised scripts for season 3 in late 2023 and early 2024. HBO executives weren’t happy.
Levinson’s original plan had a surprising storyline for Zendaya’s character Rue. She would have been sober in her twenties but worked as a private detective, which HBO quickly rejected. Zendaya, on the other hand, wanted to explore Rue as a twentysomething surrogate mother.
Despite these creative differences, neither HBO nor the cast (especially Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi) wanted to give up on the show. However, considering the long filming commitment, the actors’ representatives were less enthusiastic. While they got big raises after season 2, the actors could make much more money doing movies. Zendaya, Sweeney, and Elordi are all coming off successful films and have other projects lined up.
Even though Zendaya hasn’t seen the latest drafts, there’s still hope for season 3. HBO has freed up the cast’s schedules for the rest of 2024 and plans to present a filming plan in October 2024, aiming for a 2025 production start. The season might be shorter than usual, with six episodes instead of eight, but HBO is open to more if needed.
Levinson is working on new scripts while HBO keeps the conversation going. The network is determined to make one final season with Levinson and the star-studded cast. Some speculate that the success of Zendaya’s upcoming movie “Challengers” might influence “Euphoria’s” fate. Of course, “Spider-Man 4” is also looming on the horizon, but that project is still in the early stages of development.
So, while there have been bumps in the road, it seems “Euphoria” fans might still get a satisfying conclusion with a revamped season 3.
The Uncertain Future: Euphoria Season 3 Zendaya Rue Faces Rewrite
HBO remains tight-lipped about whether Season 3 will ever come to fruition. Executives recognize the show’s impact but grapple with reconciling competing visions. As fans eagerly await resolution, the fate of “Euphoria” remains uncertain.
In the words of an HBO spokesperson, “We are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.” Whether “Euphoria” will rise from the ashes or fade into memory remains to be seen.
