In a Variety Directors on Directors interview with Matt Reeves, Zoe Kravitz opened up about her casting choices for her directorial debut, Blink Twice. Zoe explained why she chose Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie for the lead roles.
She revealed that Channing was the first person she thought of for the role of Slater King, even though she wasn’t sure why. She wanted the character to be someone who appeared trustworthy, especially since Naomi’s character wouldn’t get on a plane with anyone who seemed immediately suspicious. Zoe aimed to “weaponize his charisma,” as it was a role unlike anything Channing had done before.
For Naomi, Zoe sought an actress with an incredibly expressive face, as much of the character’s depth is conveyed through her expressions and eyes. Zoe felt confident in Naomi’s ability to grasp the essence of the film based on her previous work.
After working on Blink Twice, Zoe and Channing began dating and later got engaged. However, the couple split up after three years in the fall of 2024. The current status of their relationship remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether they will continue to collaborate on any upcoming projects together.