Zendaya’s Euphoria has managed to garner massive ratings for HBO with its first two seasons, prompting the studio to trust Sam Levinson with a third season. While work on a potential new season began a long time back, HBO has officially announced a delay in the start of production. According to reports, the studio was initially content with Levinson’s pitch for the season, but lead star Zendaya’s certain suggestions to the script did not sit well with the executives.
Euphoria was set to begin production this spring after the strikes significantly delayed production. The series also faced other issues like the death of actor Angus Cloud and producer Kevin Turen, adding to the traumatic blow for the cast & crew.
Zendaya’s Input For Euphoria Season 3 Did Not Impress HBO Or Fans
According to Variety, Sam Levinson presented a very compelling draft for a potential third season to HBO in 2023, who seemed to like the idea. Sources suggest that Levinson’s initial script included a five-year time jump into the future. However, when the writing for the show began after the end of the WGA strikes, it did not excite the lead actress of the series, Zendaya.
The Spider-Man: Homecoming actress, who also serves as the executive producer of the series, did not have the power to veto the script, but she had many suggestions for Levinson’s script. In the revised scripts, Zendaya reportedly had a new arc where her character Rue was working as a private detective. The actress also pitched an idea where Rue would be a pregnancy surrogate.
HBO immediately vetoed Zendaya’s ideas, with insider sources suggesting that the new changes did not tonally fit into the show. As the report was revealed on social media, fans too agreed that they would rather not see a third season than see the new changes made by the Malcolm & Marie actress.
One fan suggested that they should end the show rather than ruin it, while another commented that Season 3 is going to lose the magic of the show. One fan sarcastically mentioned that they did not want to see Rue turning into Veronica Mars. Fans unanimously agreed that the new suggested changes were ridiculous and even began creating memes about them. Some of the fan reactions read:
I don’t like either idea and I think maybe it’s time to end the show before they ruin it.
— Eddie (@OHMYDIAZ) March 29, 2024
Yeah season 3 is gonna lose that magic that made the show what it was
— Truly Pete (72%)👽 🔜 Some Rave Eventually (@AStateofPete) March 29, 2024
Rue as Veronica Mars is a really bad idea.
— PJamma (@mspammajamma) March 29, 2024
Season 3 at this point might not be made
— DBScares (@DScarez) March 29, 2024
Just scrapp it already for everyone’s sake. Rue as a pregnancy surrogate? What the hell!
— Hafeesco (@Abdul_charming) March 29, 2024
The first two seasons of Euphoria garnered positive reviews and great viewership for the studio. It became HBO’s fourth most-watched series. However, the show also saw its fair share of controversies, particularly for its n*dity and explicit s*xual content, which seemed excessive for a high school setting.
HBO Officially Delays The Production Of Euphoria Season 3
Following its reported script situation, HBO officially announced a delay in the start of production of Season 3 of their acclaimed show. In their statement to Variety, a spokesperson for the studio shared that both the studio and Levinson were committed to making an exceptional third season. They also added that the cast was allowed to pursue other opportunities during this break. The HBO spokesperson told Variety:
“HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season. In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”
Despite the statement, sources shared that the studio was not sure about how or when the third season would take place. The studio was reportedly considering different scenarios, including other one-off movies and specials from the Euphoria universe. However, it’s also reported that Levinson and the cast are contracted for a third season, which means the studio will have to eventually go forward with it.
Euphoria Seasons 1 & 2 are now available for streaming on Max.