"Challengers" was announced as director Luca Guadagnino's latest Hollywood project in February 2022, with principal photography starting in Boston three months later. The film was initially set to premiere in September 2023 and debut at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, but with delays from the SAG-AFTRA strike, the film is finally being released in theaters this weekend. Find out what we know about the plot so far, where you've seen the cast and director and then hit the tennis courts in preparation for this sporty, flirty film
What Do We Know About the Plot?
In "Challengers," Zendaya plays a tennis star who had to stop competing after a career-ending injury. Due to her love of the sport and desire to stay connected to the professional tennis world, she begins training her husband, who soon learns that he must face off against her former boyfriend/his former best friend.
Where Have You Seen Luca Guadagnino's Work Before?
Luca Guadagnino is an Italian director who began his career with short films before directing his first feature length movie in 1999 with "The Protagonists" starring Tilda Swinton. However, he did not find mainstream success until 2017 when he released the film adaptation of "Call Me By Your Name," starring Timothée Chalamet. Since then, he has dabbled in horror, with "Suspiria" in 2018, and then worked with Chalamet for a second time with 2022's "Bones and All."
Where Have You Seen the Main Cast Before?
Zendaya plays the protagonist of this film, former tennis champion Tashi Duncan. At this point in her career, it may be easier to say where you have not seen her. The actress got her start on Disney Channel before finding mainstream success as MJ in 2019's "Spider-Man: Far from Home." From there, she was cast to play Rue, the main character in HBO's drama "Euphoria," and as Chani in Denis Villeneuve's "Dune." Most recently, you can find her reprising the role of Chani in "Dune: Part 2."
Mike Faist plays Zendaya's husband, Art Donaldson, and is relatively new to the silver screen. He began his acting career focused on the theater, making his Broadway debut in "Newsies" in 2012 and then returning to Broadway in 2015 to originate the role of Connor Murphy in "Dear Evan Hansen." In 2021, he played Riff in Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story," marking his first mainstream Hollywood film. Later this year, he can be found co-starring in "The Bikeriders" with Jodie Comer and Austin Butler.
Josh O'Connor is a British actor who is playing Patrick Zweig, the former friend and ex. He began acting with minor roles, including a small role in "Peaky Blinders" and one episode of "Doctor Who." However, he gained wider success with "God's Own Country" in 2017, a role that led him to win Best Actor at the British Independent Film Awards. Since then, he went on to play young Prince Charles in "The Crown" for seasons three and four and the grumpy Reverend Mr. Elton in 2020's "Emma."
Head to the theaters April 26 and check "Challengers" out for yourself!