Sports movies are a niche genre of film that can often bring a variety of audiences together to enjoy an artistic piece. Many sports fans may be unsure of the world of film and many film fans may be unsure of the world of sport, making sports movies the common ground for these two often conflicting sides to meet. Sports films have a long and varied history within cinema, with the highs of Hugh Hudson’s Chariots of Fire and the more recent heart-wrenching Netflix tale The Swimmers, and some lows that can create the genre a somewhat poor reputation in the eyes of some. One sport that doesn’t often get the recognition it may deserve on the silver screen is tennis. Tennis is one of the most admired sports in the world, however, its appeal to movie producers has seemingly forever been low. Two of the sport’s most famous athletes did get their own biopic in 2021, with Serena and Venus Williams being portrayed in Reinaldo Marcus Green’s King Richard, and the fans of that film may well be drawn to the upcoming tennis-based dramedy Challengers.
The film was announced back in February 2022, and with a star-studded leading cast already announced, and now Challengers has become one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2024. Here is everything we know about Challengers… so far.
Editor’s Note: This piece was updated on February 21, 2024.
Challengers
Follows three players who knew each other when they were teenagers as they compete in a tennis tournament to be the world-famous grand slam winner, and reignite old rivalries on and off the court.
Release Date April 26, 2024
Cast Zendaya , Josh O’Connor , Mike Faist
Main Genre Drama
Writers Justin Kuritzkes
Does ‘Challengers’ Have a Release Date?
Image via MGM
Challengers was previously set to hit theaters on September 15, 202. Due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, it was delayed until April 27, 2024. On its current release date, Challengers will be going up against Alex Garland’s dystopian action-thriller Civil War from A24.
It was also set to have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August 2022, but that was canceled due to the delay.
Where Will ‘Challengers’ Be Available to Stream?
Image via MGM
Challengers will be exclusive to theaters, and there is no set date as to when it’ll be available on streaming. That being said, the film is being distributed by MGM, which is owned by Amazon, so it seems very likely that the film will eventually be made available to stream on Prime Video, much like other recent MGM releases such as Saltburn and Creed III. The film will also likely be available to stream on MGM+ as well.
Is There a Trailer for ‘Challengers’?
A full trailer for Challengers was released online by MGM on June 20, 2023. The trailer, set to Rihanna’s “S&M,” begins with Tashi (Zendaya) at the top of her tennis career, meeting best friends Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O’Connor), forming a fierce love triangle. We learn that Tashi ends up with Art, but her career ends prematurely after she’s injured. Years later, Patrick re-enters their lives, and Patrick now must face off against his former friend with Tashi coaching him.
On New Year’s Day 2024, Zendaya unveiled the film’s official poster on her Instagram.
The second trailer for Challengers was released on February 21, 2024. We learn more about Tashi and her tennis career. We also see the love triangle (or lack thereof) spring up as she becomes a coach.
What Is ‘Challengers’ About?
Image via MGM
The official plot synopsis of Challengers reads:
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).
Challengers looks to have the perfect combination of romance, drama, and tennis. Also, it seems as if tennis fans will have plenty to marvel at, with the bulk of the story taking place on, or at least around, the court.
Who Stars in ‘Challengers’?
The most noted part of this upcoming movie has been the inclusion of the world-famous Zendaya. Zendaya, who is coming off her second Best Actress Emmy win for Euphoria, will play Tashi, who convinces her husband Art, played by Mike Faist (West Side Story), to take part in the Challenger’s tournament. Zendaya has reportedly been paid $10 million for her role in the film, although that money has been well-earned, with her spending three months training with pro-tennis coach Brad Gilbert and even acting as a producer on the film too. Emmy Award winner Josh O’Connor (The Crown) will also star in the film as Patrick, Art’s ex-best friend and Tashi’s former lover. With the talent of Zendaya, Faist, and O’Connor at the forefront of the film, fans are unlikely to be disappointed upon its release.
Who Is Making ‘Challengers’?
Image via MGM
FIrst time screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes is behind the script, but it is a more notable name in the crew that has captured the attention of the media. Back in February 2022, it was announced that Luca Guadagnino would direct the film, following on from his successes working on the likes of Call Me By Your Name and, more recently, Bones and All starring Taylor Russell and Timotheé Chalamet. As well as this, having worked with Guadagnino on Bones and All, the score is being composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the pair who are behind the highly-regarded and critically acclaimed music for The Social Network as well as many other beautifully atmospheric scores. With cinematography by the award-winning Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (Thirteen Lives), who also worked with Guadagnino on Suspiria and Call Me By Your Name, this ensemble of cast and crew is looking particularly promising for fans’ expectations upon the film’s release. A great crew is one thing, but a crew that is used to working together triumphantly is often a definite recipe for success. So, with that in mind, fans have every right to consider Challengers not only one of the must-see romantic comedies but also one of the must-see movies overall, in 2023.
When and Where Did ‘Challengers’ Film?
Image via MGM
Filming for Challengers began on May 3, 2022, with production mainly taking place in Boston. By June 26, filming had wrapped.