Challengers — April 26, 2024
Luca Guadagnino directed Challengers, a romantic sports comedy-drama, written by Justin Kuritzkes.
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Theatrical release poster
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Challengers has already a buzz due to early press releases that have included steamy photos of Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, three hot actors.
Guadagnino cited Kuritzkes’ screenplay, Amy Pascal, and Zendaya as inspirations for making the film.
Challengers premiered in Sydney, Australia on March 26, 2024, and will be released in US by Amazon MGM Studios on April 26, 2024.
It was delayed from its initial September 2023 release and pulled out from its slot as the opening film of the Venice Film Fest due to the SAG AFTRA strike.
Narrative Premise:
Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband’s redemption takes surprising turn when he must face off against his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend.
In preparation for her role, Zendaya spent three months training with pro-tennis player-turned-coach Brad Gilbert. Gilbert was also a consultant on the film.
Filming occurred in and around the Back Bay and East Boston neighborhoods.
Sayombhu Mukdeeprom served as cinematographer.
Jonathan Anderson, creative director of Spanish luxury brand Loewe, served as costume designer.
Guadagnino visited Zendaya on the set of Dune 2 in order to complete ADR for Challengers.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (Social Network) composed the film’s score, having previously worked with Guadagnino on Bones and All.
Zendaya called the film “Codependency: The Movie” and Josh O’Connor compared it to the 2007 comedy Superbad.
Release
This film could mimic the anticipation felt for Fifty Shades of Grey leading up to its Spring premier.
Director Guadagnino made a splash at Cannes in 2017 with the premier of Call Me By Your Name, which would go on to win Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars.
Challengers is penned by a different screenwriter, playwright and novelist Justin Kuritzkes, and promises to be something akin to Match Point meets Y tu mamá también.
Cast
Zendaya as Tashi Duncan
Josh O’Connor as Patrick Zweig
Mike Faist as Art Donaldson
