Challengers movie storyline. Tennis player turned coach Tashi (Zendaya) has taken her husband, Art (Mike Faist), and transformed him into a world-famous grand slam champion. To jolt him out of his recent losing streak, she makes him play a “Challenger” event — close to the lowest level of pro tournament — where he finds himself standing across the net from his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend (Josh O’Connor).
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 (Mike Faist – West Side Story), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – The Crown) – 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.
Challengers is an American romantic sports comedy-drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes. The film stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist. Its plot follows a Grand Slam tennis champion who signs up to compete in a challenger event against the former lover of his wife and coach.
Challengers is scheduled to be released in the United States on April 26, 2024, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer through Amazon MGM Studios. It was delayed from its initial September 15, 2023, release date and pulled out from its slot as the opening film of the 80th Venice International Film Festival due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.
Principal photography began on May 3, 2022, in Boston, where a casting call took place for local residents to audition to play tennis players, general extras, and stand-ins. 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. Filming wrapped on June 26, 2022.
Challengers (2024)
Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Starring: Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist, Jake Jensen, Andre Gadbois, Faith Fay, Heidi Garza, Shane T Harris, Keanu Ham, Emelia Camille Harewood, Scottie DiGiacomo, Carlyne Fournier
Screenplay by: Justin Kuritzkes,
Production Design by: Merissa Lombardo
Cinematography by: Sayombhu Mukdeeprom
Film Editing by: Marco Costa
Costume Design by: J.W. Anderson
Set Decoration by: J.W. Anderson
Art Direction by: Paul Alix, Jasmine Cho, Matthew Gatlin
Music by: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, some sexual content and graphic nudity.
Distributed by: Amazon MGM Studios (United States), Warner Bros. Pictures (International)
Release Date: April 26, 2024
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