Zendaya; Lola Bunny inSpace Jam: A New Legacy.Photo: Randy Shropshire/Getty; Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
Speaking withEntertainment Weeklyahead of the film’s premiere, the 24-year-old actress said she “didn’t know” any backlash would come out of the difference in Lola’s appearance compared to her version in the original film.
“I definitely know we love her, but I didn’t know it was going to be as much of a focus as it was,” Zendaya said with a laugh.
In 1996’sSpace Jam, Lola is shown wearing a crop top and short shorts throughout the film,while the 2021 versionsees her don a basketball uniform more akin to that of her male counterparts.
Added Zendaya of the controversy in herEWinterview, “I understand, because she’s a lovable character. She’s very important, so I get it.”
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Lola Bunny and LeBron James inSpace Jam: A New Legacy.Warner Bros. Pictures
Zendaya said she realizes the character of Lola is “special to a lot of people and their childhoods and they’ve been able to grow up with her, so I get that sense of protection.”
“I was like, listen, just as long as I did what the director [Malcolm D. Lee] and the producers and everybody wanted me to do, I’m just here to offer my services,” she added, laughing.
TheEuphoriaEmmy winner also said she has “always appreciated Lola because she’s the only girl on the team, kind of holding it down for the ladies — and she’s also an incredible player.”
“I think in this reimagining of who she is, it just leans into that a little bit more, the fact that she’s got these skills and she’s an MVP. When we meet here, she’s like, ‘I’m being a warrior, an Amazon princess, I don’t have time for this right now,'” Zendaya explained. “But she obviouslyends up being such a crucial member of the teamand really holding them all together. When they’re going off on their looney moments, she brings everyone back.”
Zendaya at the premiere ofSpace Jam: A New Legacy.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
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Lee, 51, previously toldEWthat “Lola was not politically correct” in the original movie, and that the rework of her appearance was meant to present her as"feminine without being objectified."
In the more recent interview, the director toldEW, “I had no idea that people would be that up in arms about a bunny not having boobs.”
Listen below toour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more onSpace Jam: A New Legacy.
Space Jam: A New Legacy hits theaters and HBO Max Friday.
source: people.com
