The HBO phenomenon series, led by Zendaya, seems to be on the decline. After more than two years of absence, season three of
Euphoria
still isn't ready, according to series creator Sam Levinson. Behind the scenes: unfinished scripts, main actors officially released from their exclusive contracts, an artistic conflict...
On March 25, to our colleagues across the Atlantic at
Variety
, an HBO spokesperson spoke as follows:
“HBO and Sam Levinson are still committed to producing an exceptional season three
,” he assured.
“During this time, we are allowing our actors to pursue other professional opportunities.”
This official announcement confirms a situation already in progress: the main players are moving forward with projects. Zendaya is at the forefront of the international scene with
Dune, Part II
and
Challengers
, Hunter Schafer with
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of the Serpent and the Songbird
, Sydney Sweeney with
Immaculée
, or even Jacob Elordi with
Saltburn
or
Priscilla
by Sofia Coppola .
Regarding the delay visibly taken by the production, external elements may have contributed to it: the writers' and actors' strikes are among the latter. We also mention the tragic death of Angus Cloud on July 31, at the age of 25. The interpreter of Fezco “Fez” O'Neill in the series was found dead at his home in Oakland, California.
The reactions of the actors
Another reason could explain the long delay from one season to the next. Although Levinson has control over the series, early scripts for season three were reportedly scrapped at the request of Zendaya, who is also a producer on
Euphoria
. According to
Variety
's sources
, Sam Levinson, the creator of the series wanted to create an ellipse between season two and season three, during which his characters would find themselves at university.
What's missing from HBO's press release, according to
Variety
, is also confirmation that season three is actually planned. Our American colleagues emphasize that
“no one is completely sure that the third season will see the light of day, because of the disparate visions on the next chapter of the series.”
The season, if it actually sees the light of day, is supposed to be released in 2025.
" I miss everybody "
Hunter Schafer
Among the actors of the series, four of them spoke about this long delay: Hunter Schafer, Colman Domingo, Jacob Elordi and Zendaya. It was in the columns of
Variety
this April 13 that the actress, who plays Jules Vaughn in the series, spoke.
“I just miss everyone. Our careers are all progressing really well at the moment,”
she observed
. “Whatever happens, I look forward to the reunion when it’s time.”
Colman Domingo, who won the Emmy Award for Best Guest Actor for his role as Ali Muhammad in the series, spoke to
GQ on February 26.
“(Sam Levinson) is someone who writes and rewrites and writes and rewrites again, because I think he attacks what is important,”
he analyzed.
“He reacts immediately to the evils of the world. If there's one thing I can tell you, it's that he's very interested in the existential question of “who we are right now.” Our souls. That’s what he wants to understand with season three.”
On the red carpet of the Challengers
premiere
in Los Angeles, Zendaya remained neutral at the microphone of
Variety
.
“I don’t know, I’m not in charge,”
she responded with a laugh when asked if season three would happen.
“If it’s the right choice for the characters, if everything is right, of course. But it’s out of my control!”
For his part, the male star of the series Jacob Elordi chose humor to discuss the situation on the set of Jimmy Fallon's “Tonight Show”.
“I hope it's soon, otherwise they'll have to make me a
Benjamin Button (film where the protagonist gets younger over the years, Editor's note.)” The actor continued in a joking tone:
“I'm going to have a broken back while walking down the corridor (...)!”