The Greatest Showman on Earth - Zendaya Casting

NOTE: This is a speculative post I don't have any Insider information everything I say below is based on my personal opinions and hopes for the film.

Now that Zendaya is officially credited on the The Greatest Showman on Earth (2017) IMDB I’ll write about what her role could possibly entail. In my opinion the possibilities are thrilling because of the time period this film will be set in. The film is described as a Biodrama Musical about the story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Because P.T. Barnum lived from 1810 to 1891 the film will be a period drama. This will be Zendaya’s first role in a period costume drama. Sources say Zendaya will be playing opposite Zac Efron as his girlfriend.

Besides the time period we also have to consider how Zendaya's race will play into the film. There are three options. The film could not mention her race at all, they could make her a light skin black women, or they could make her biracial. From what I’ve read online the movie will be focused in the 1880s when P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) creates the Barnum & Bailey circus. If the film takes place in the 1880s then we know for sure Zendaya’s character will not be a slave.

Because she will not be a slave I wonder what social class her character will be from. Will she be the privileged child of wealthy people of color? Will she be middle-class or poor? There is even a possibility that she could begin as one of the circus attractions before her character begins her romantic relationship with Zac Efron's character. My previous blog post on this film shows that many of the circus attractions used by P. T. Barnum were people of color. Perhaps she will be playing a character of that sort. There are really so many different ways that her character can be used within this film.

Miss Lala Olga Kaira at The Cirque Fernando (c.1880) 

I'm excited for three different reasons:

First is purely shallow, I want to see Zendaya in the beautiful 1800’s dresses. Costumes are a major part of the period film viewing experience and I know she will look amazing in the clothing of that period.

Next is because of the lack of Black/Biracial characters shown in this part of history. From a historical point of view black and biracial people were doing so much during the 1880s, but so few films focus on this period. Having a character in a film set during this time period (the 1880’s) will be interesting.

Lastly I'm excited about this because I think Zendaya is a great casting choice. She's very talented and I think that they could use her talent effectively in this film. She has a music, dance, and acting background from her work on Disney; much like her co-star Zac Efron. Beyond singing, dancing, and acting she has charisma on top of charisma. She will bring so much energy to the film.

At only 16 years old she came in 2^nd place on Dancing with the Stars!!

I'm very enthusiastic about what her character could do in this film. There is no information online as of July 18th, so for now I'm just waiting patiently on IMDB and Google hoping for some new information into who she’ll be playing.