Two-time Emmy Award winner Zendaya (Euphoria) plays a tennis star who, after an injury, transitions to coaching in Challengers which just unveiled an official trailer. With tennis as a backdrop, the drama finds Zendaya at the center of a love triangle involving two best friends.
Mike Faist (West Side Story) and Josh O’Connor (The Crown) star as the friends who vie for Zendaya’s character’s attention. The R-rated drama was directed by Oscar nominee Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, Bones and All) from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes.
Director Guadagnino told Variety that his leads trained for three months prior to the shoot. Complimenting Zendaya’s skills in particular, Guadagnino said, “I mean, wow. We edited the movie and we almost actually don’t use any of her double. She’s so good.”
MGM is releasing Challengers in theaters on September 15, 2023.
Amy Pascal, Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya, and Rachel O’Connor served as producers, with Bernard Bellew executive producing. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are working on the music.
The Plot:
From visionary filmmaker 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 her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (O’Connor) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend.
As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
Credit: Niko Tavernise © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc)