Zendaya was first announced to be in talks to play the rocker in 2020. She was hand-selected by Ronnie Spector, who was an executive producer on the film before she died, to play her. Shortly after Ronnie Spector died in January 2022, Zendaya took to Instagram to pay tribute to the star.

EXCLUSIVE: A24 is adding to its partnership with megastar Zendaya and her film on the life of singer Ronnie Spector, with Barry Jenkins coming on board to direct with Dave Kajganich tapped to write an original screenplay.

Jenkins will direct from frequent Luca Guadagnino collaborator Dave Kajganich’s (“Bones and All,” “Suspiria,” “Bigger Splash”) original screenplay. Jenkins previously helmed A24’s “Moonlight” and produced A24 feature “Sorry, Baby.”