John David Washington Addresses Criticism About Age Difference With Co-Star Zendaya

John David Washington has responded to backlash over the prominent age-gap between himself and his Malcolm & Marie co-star Zendaya.

A trailer for Euphoria creator Sam Levison’s black-and-white Cassavetes-inspired drama Malcolm & Marie dropped recently and was met with great enthusiasm by those excited to see two powerhouse actors share the screen.

However, others pointed out the age difference between 36-year-old John David Washington and Zendaya, 24, who star as love interests.

I really hope people realize that no one is saying Zendaya is a bad actress or person for that movie but that the practice of casting younger actresses with men that are older than them is a symptom of bigger problem in Hollywood.

— Robin Quinn (commissions open) 💖💜💙 (@bobbytries) January 10, 2021

Anyways, my criticism of the film is that Zendaya could’ve gotten a male costar HER age. John almost 40 years old. It’s tiring for me…

— val is an alien superstar ✨ (@westsidemani) January 8, 2021

Indeed, there is a disturbing tradition of younger women being paired with much older men in Hollywood movies – think 17-year-old Scarlett Johansson alongside 51-year-old Bill Murray in Lost in Translation… or any Woody Allen film.

Unsurprisingly, a debate broke out on Twitter, with many jumping to the defence of Malcolm & Marie’s intergenerational couple.

see how yall praise margot robbie being 22 in the wolf of wallstreet but now say shit like zendaya is too young for malcom and marie???

— nini. (@anyasknightley) January 8, 2021

zendaya is older than margot robbie was in 'the wolf of wallstreet' and keira knightley was in 'pride and prejudice' so if you can't see her play an adult woman, which is exactly what she is, then that's your own issue i think

— gabriela (@hollygolightIy) January 8, 2021

But when asked about the controversy in a recent interview with Variety, Washington said he isn’t “concerned” about the backlash because it was, in fact, him “learning from [Zendaya].”

“She has far more experience than I do in the industry. I’ve only been in it for seven years. She’s been in it longer, so I’m learning from her. I’m the rookie. I was leaning on her for a lot.

Some of the stories she’s shared about what she’s had to go through with Twitter and everything. I appreciated her wisdom and discernment when it comes to this business. I admire that.”

Zendaya has been acting since age six and had her breakout role in 2010 as Rocky Blue on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up.

Speaking of the now 24-year-old actor, Washington said: “People are going to see in this film how much of a woman she is.”

“What I’m really excited for people to see when the film is released – they’re going to see how mature she is in this role,” Washington concluded. “We’re talking about versatility, and Sam [Levison] and Zendaya brought both.

Malcolm & Marie is an intense, passionate chamber drama revolving around the relationship between a director and his girlfriend, which is tested after the couple return home from a movie premiere and await his film’s critical response. 

You can watch Washington and Zendaya together on Netflix now.

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