‘Challengers’ Trailer: Zendaya Is In A Love Game With Josh O’Connor & Mike Faist
Zendaya is at the tennis courts in Luca Guadagnino’s latest novel.
The Emmy-winning “Euphoria” plays tennis player-turned-coach Tashi, who oversees the career of her husband Art (Mike Faist). But when Art ends up on a losing streak, he’s forced to play against his childhood best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend (Josh O’Connor), sparking a tense love triangle with queer undertones.
From Luca Guadagnino, “Challengers” stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and an unapologetic force of nature 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 she faces the jaded Patrick (O’Connor).
The film is written by Justin Kuritzkes.
Director Guadagnino revealed that the cast trained for three months with former pro tennis player Brad Gilbert, who served as a consultant on the film. The “Bones and All” director added that none of Zendaya’s stunt doubles were used in the final cut of the tennis scenes.
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“I think those three characters in that movie are wonderfully complex and really screwed up people that I love very much. And a sports film, why not? the Oscar winner previously told IndieWire. “It’s hyperkinetic and I make movies, so that’s great.”
According to Guadagnino, “Challengers” is his “first comedy,” with the production set in Boston. The “pretty sizzling and sexy” film, according to the director, is produced by Guadagnino, Zendaya, Amy Pascal and Rachel O’Connor, with Bernard Bellew as executive producer. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are behind the music, with United Artists distributing.
Guadagnino’s last film was “Bones and All”, which screened at the Venice Film Festival in autumn 2022. “Challengers” is also expected to open on the Lido, where Guadagnino’s films show up regularly.
“Challengers” will premiere in theaters on September 15th. Check out the trailer below.