Dune director hails Zendaya as 'the future' in Time 100 profile and says there 'is nothing more comforting to' him

• Zendaya was featured as an innovator on Time's 100 Most Influential People.
• Director Denis Villeneuve said the 25-year-old star is the future of Hollywood.

Denis Villeneuve, the director of Dune, hailed actress Zendaya as "timeless" and the "future" of the industry in her Time 100 profile released on Monday.

"She is an autonomous creative force herself. A cultural icon in the making. A person driven by pure inspiration, empathy, and respect for her craft, who uses authenticity as a new superpower," Villeneuve wrote of the 25-year-old actress.

He highlighted her various accomplishments over the past few years, including her breakout roles in the films "Spider-Man" and "Malcolm and Marie" and on TV in HBO's hit teen drama "Euphoria."

Villeneuve described Zendaya as a paradox between young and old.

"To me, Zendaya is a thousand years old. She has already lived many lives before this one. And yet, she is as young as springtime," he said. "By some inextricable paradox, she also gives the impression of having been born sometime far into the future. She is timeless, and she can do it all."

Zendaya got her start on Disney Channel before becoming a red carpet sensation and landing big-budget roles in movies the "Spider-Man" franchise and winning an Emmy for best actress for her role in "Euphoria."

She's also dabbled in fashion design and has become the face of several make-up brands including Lancôme. Zendaya has also been outspoken about racist remarks directed at her including criticism when she donned dreadlocks at the 2015 Oscars. Mattel made a Barbie in her honor afterward.

For him, the actress, singer, and producer is the future of Hollywood.

"And there is nothing more comforting to me. This is only the beginning," he wrote.