‘Challengers’ Movie: Everything to Know About Zendaya’s New Tennis Drama

Credit: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

‘Challengers’ Movie: Everything to Know About Zendaya’s Upcoming Tennis Drama

Zendaya is bringing the heat both on and off the court in her upcoming sports drama, Challengers. The Luca Guadagnino-directed film stars Zendaya as Tashi, a tennis star caught up in a messy love triangle with fellow athletes Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O’Connor) that follows the trio from their teenage years into adulthood. “She’s wonderful,” Guadagnino told Variety of Zendaya in October 2022, four months after filming wrapped. “I mean, wow. We edited the movie, and we almost actually don’t use any of her double. She’s so good.” He continued to praise her for being a “wonderful partner to work with” in an August 2023 interview with Elle, adding, “The way she expresses and exudes the power of her athleticism is wonderful, but at the same time, the way she goes through seduction is very beautiful in the film.” Zendaya, for her part, told the outlet she was excited to take on a mature role like Tashi in the film. “From a character perspective, I want to find things that will push me,” she explained. “As I get older, you know, I can’t play a teenager for the rest of my life.” Scroll down for everything we know so far about Challengers:

Credit: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

‘Challengers’ Movie: Everything to Know About Zendaya’s Upcoming Tennis Drama

Zendaya is bringing the heat both on and off the court in her upcoming sports drama, Challengers. The Luca Guadagnino-directed film stars Zendaya as Tashi, a tennis star caught up in a messy love triangle with fellow athletes Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O’Connor) that follows the trio from their teenage years into adulthood. “She’s wonderful,” Guadagnino told Variety of Zendaya in October 2022, four months after filming wrapped. “I mean, wow. We edited the movie, and we almost actually don’t use any of her double. She’s so good.” He continued to praise her for being a “wonderful partner to work with” in an August 2023 interview with Elle, adding, “The way she expresses and exudes the power of her athleticism is wonderful, but at the same time, the way she goes through seduction is very beautiful in the film.” Zendaya, for her part, told the outlet she was excited to take on a mature role like Tashi in the film. “From a character perspective, I want to find things that will push me,” she explained. “As I get older, you know, I can’t play a teenager for the rest of my life.” Scroll down for everything we know so far about Challengers:

Credit: MGM

‘Challengers’ Affected by the SAG-AFTRA Strike

While the film was initially set to premiere at the 2023 Venice Film Festival in August, it was announced in July 2023 that the movie would no longer participate at the Festival amid the ongoing Hollywood strike.

“After thoughtful consideration with our partners, and given the parameters that SAG-AFTRA has outlined for its membership, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw Challengers from this year’s Venice International Film Festival,” Amazon told IndieWire in a statement at the time. “We look forward to celebrating the film when we can do so with our ensemble cast, director Luca Guadagnino, and the filmmaking team at a later date.”

Instead, Challengers has been moved to an April 26, 2024, release date, per The Hollywood Reporter.

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Who Is in the ‘Challengers’ Cast?

Zendaya, who also serves as a producer, portrays former tennis star-turned-coach Tashi, while Mike Faist (West Side Story) plays her husband, Art, who is a tennis champion. Josh O’Connor (The Crown) rounds out the leading roles as Tashi’s former flame and fellow tennis pro, Patrick.

Credit: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

What Is ‘Challengers’ About?

Following the end of her playing career, Tashi focuses on transforming her husband, Art, into a Grand Slam champion. Amid a losing streak, Tashi enters Art into a “Challenger” event where he faces off against Patrick, who was Tashi’s teenage boyfriend and Art’s former BFF. The trio’s past — and complex love triangle — appears to be just as complicated as the sport itself.

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How Did Zendaya Train for ‘Challengers’?

“They spent like three months working very hard,” Guadagnino (who directed Call Me By Your Name) told Variety of his leads in October 2022. “Everybody – technically, athletically.” Former tennis professional Brad Gilbert served as a consultant on the project.

Credit: Niko Tavernise / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

When Does ‘Challengers’ Hit Theaters?

Following a premiere date delay, Challengers is set to release in theaters on April 26, 2024.

Credit: Niko Tavernise / Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures

Is There a Trailer for ‘Challengers?’

The film’s first trailer dropped in June 2023 and teased a twisted love story between Tashi, Art and Patrick. In the clip, Tashi (Zendaya) starts off as the one to watch on the tennis court due to her skills. Her confidence as a player pours over to her personal life as both Art (Faist) and Patrick (O’Connor) quickly fall under her spell. “Aren’t you everybody’s type?” Art asks in the video, before both he and Patrick hookup with Tashi.

While Art later claims that Patrick is “not in love” with Tashi, she still picks Patrick as her teenage boyfriend. “What makes you think I want someone to be in love with me?” she quips.

Fast forward a few years and Patrick falls out of her life, while Art and Tashi grow closer. As adults, Tashi becomes a coach, leading Art to become a champion — but their past with Patrick isn’t behind them.

“I think maybe you’re disturbed by the fact that she could have been into someone like me,” Patrick teases after learning that he and Art will compete against each other.

Tashi, for her part, appears to be enjoying the show as both men vie for her attention and the title of tennis champion.

Credit: MGM/YouTube

Have Any Clips From ‘Challengers’ Been Released?

In a first look released in March 2024, Zendaya’s Tashi bids farewell to Art (Faist) and Patrick (O’Connor) after a beach hangout before being asked for her number by both of them.

“OK, well I’m not a homewrecker,” she clarifies to the boys, to which Patrick clarifies things between them can be an “open relationship.” He proceeds to invite Tashi back to his and Art’s hotel room.

“Good night,” Tashi says as she walks away. In one more plea to get her to stay, Patrick yells, “We have beer!”