Zendaya is down at the tennis courts in Luca Guadagnino’s latest romance.
The “Euphoria” Emmy winner plays tennis player-turned-coach Tashi who oversees her husband Art’s (Mike Faist) career. But when Art winds up on a losing streak, he is forced to play against his childhood best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend (Josh O’Connor), igniting a tense love triangle with queer undertones.
From Luca Guadagnino, “Challengers” stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Faist), Tashi’s strategy for Art’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (O’Connor).
The film is written by Justin Kuritzkes.
Director Guadagnino revealed that the cast trained for three months with former professional tennis player Brad Gilbert, who served as a consultant on the film. The “Bones and All” filmmaker added that none of Zendaya’s body double was used in the final cut of the tennis scenes.
“I think those three characters in that movie are beautifully complex and really fucked-up people that I love very much. And a sports film, why not?” the Oscar winner previously told IndieWire. “It’s hyperkinetic, and I do films, so it’s great.”
According to Guadagnino, “Challengers” is his “first comedy,” with production set in Boston. The “fairly fizzy, sexy,” according to the director, movie is produced by Guadagnino, Zendaya, Amy Pascal, and Rachel O’Connor, with Bernard Bellew executive producing. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are behind the music, with United Artists distributing.
Guadagnino’s last film was “Bones and All,” which played the Venice Film Festival in fall 2022. “Challengers” is also expected to drop on the Lido, where Guadagnino’s films regularly show up.
“Challengers” premieres September 15 in theaters. Check out the trailer below.
The “Euphoria” Emmy winner plays tennis player-turned-coach Tashi who oversees her husband Art’s (Mike Faist) career. But when Art winds up on a losing streak, he is forced to play against his childhood best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend (Josh O’Connor), igniting a tense love triangle with queer undertones.
From Luca Guadagnino, “Challengers” stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Faist), Tashi’s strategy for Art’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (O’Connor).
The film is written by Justin Kuritzkes.
Director Guadagnino revealed that the cast trained for three months with former professional tennis player Brad Gilbert, who served as a consultant on the film. The “Bones and All” filmmaker added that none of Zendaya’s body double was used in the final cut of the tennis scenes.
“I think those three characters in that movie are beautifully complex and really fucked-up people that I love very much. And a sports film, why not?” the Oscar winner previously told IndieWire. “It’s hyperkinetic, and I do films, so it’s great.”
According to Guadagnino, “Challengers” is his “first comedy,” with production set in Boston. The “fairly fizzy, sexy,” according to the director, movie is produced by Guadagnino, Zendaya, Amy Pascal, and Rachel O’Connor, with Bernard Bellew executive producing. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are behind the music, with United Artists distributing.
Guadagnino’s last film was “Bones and All,” which played the Venice Film Festival in fall 2022. “Challengers” is also expected to drop on the Lido, where Guadagnino’s films regularly show up.
“Challengers” premieres September 15 in theaters. Check out the trailer below.