Originally “Challengers” slated to premiere at the 2023 Venice Film Festival in August, the film’s screening was canceled due to the ongoing Hollywood strike, as reported in July 2023. Consequently, the release of “Challengers” was rescheduled to April 26, 2024. In Luca Guadagnino’s latest project, Zendaya not only stars as Tashi Duncan but also serves as a producer.
“Challengers” is marketed as a romantic sports comedy revolving around a passionate love triangle involving a professional tennis player and his former adversaries. Both on and off the court, competition and drama intensify as past and present collide. Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) stands as the central figure—a former tennis sensation turned coach, embodying unyielding determination in both sports and romance. She is married to Art, a champion tennis player struggling with a losing streak, who finds himself pitted against his washed-up former best friend, Patrick, also Tashi’s ex-boyfriend.
Helmed by an emerging director Luca Guadagnino, the film promises to explore the complexities of youth with depth and authenticity, with Zendaya leading the charge in a compelling and multifaceted role. The primary cast of “Challengers” includes Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, alongside Mike Faist as Art, Tashi’s husband and tennis partner, and Josh O’Connor as Patrick, Tashi’s former love interest and Art’s former basketball rival. Faist, renowned for his role as Connor Murphy in the Broadway hit “Dear Evan Hansen,” has a versatile portfolio spanning across television, film, and theater. O’Connor, celebrated for his portrayal of Prince Charles in Netflix’s “The Crown,” brings depth and acclaim from his previous works like Francis Lee’s “God’s Own Country,” earning accolades such as a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe Award.
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, known for his acclaimed work “Call Me by Your Name,” the film received widespread attention for Zendaya’s versatility as an actress, particularly her dedication to mastering tennis skills for her role in “Challengers.”