Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist star in this steamy tennis drama.
The star of Zendaya continues to ascend with the new sports romantic drama Challengers.
The official plot synopsis reads: “Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend.”
Well, that just sounds positively ripe for drama – and it isn’t even based on a true story.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press at the UK premiere, Zendaya revealed: “We did have our own version of tennis school. We did many many weeks of tennis training together.”
She added: “[Tennis training was] followed by workouts together, followed by rehearsals together, so it allowed us the time to really, I don’t know, not just bond, but really communicate and understand these characters more and talk and figure it out.
“And also, I feel like we created our little bubble, our little group.”
And the chemistry is clear to see on-screen if our positive review is anything to go by.
Here is everything else you need to know about Challengers.
Challengers release date
Challengers will be released in the UK on Friday 26th April 2024.
The film had been due to premiere on 15th September 2023, however, Amazon MGM decided to delay the movie amid the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Challengers had also been due to premiere during the Venice Film Festival 2023.
Who stars in Challengers?
The following actors feature in the film Challengers.
- Zendaya as Tashi Duncan
- Josh O’Connor as Patrick Zweig
- Mike Faist as Art Donaldson
- Darnell Appling as an umpire
- Jake Jensen as Finn Larsen
- Faith Fay as Spectator
- AJ Lister as Lily
- Scottie DiGiacomo as US Open Umpire
Euphoria, The Greatest Showman and Spider-Man star Zendaya acts as an executive producer on the film and features as tennis prodigy turned tennis coach Tashi Duncan.
Meanwhile, The Crown’s Josh O’Connor and West Side Story star Mike Faist star as Tashi’s dual love interests, tennis players and best friends Patrick and Art, respectfully.
Director Luca Guadagnino made sure to name-check Appling for his contribution to the film as the umpire of the tense climactic tennis match during the UK premiere.
What trailers are there for Challengers?
There are already multiple trailers and video featurettes for Challengers, including the lead trailer which is memorably soundtracked to Rihanna’s S&M.
Catch that trailer below.
A further trailer was released a month ago, giving more of an insight into the story.
Challengers arrives in UK cinemas on Friday 26th April 2024.
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