Challengers screenwriter reveals Zendaya-led thriller was inspired by controversial Serena Williams match
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Challengers screenwriter reveals Zendaya-led thriller was inspired by controversial Serena Williams match

The Independent  

Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Director Luca Guadagnino’s newest tennis psychodrama, Challengers, took surprising inspiration from Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka’s controversial 2018 US Open final, the film’s screenwriter revealed. Created by playwright and novelist Justin Kuritzkes, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi, a professional tennis player-turned-coach who becomes the focus of a love triangle between two friends and sporting rivals, played by Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor. For The Independent’s reviewer Clarisse Loughrey, the Luca Guadagnino-directed feature is a five-star success and “the most gripping sports movie in years”, with Zendaya’s performance particularly worthy of recognition. “Challengers allows every slow-mo shot of Zendaya’s bouncing curls and her regal posture to further the argument that she could be the one to reverse the death of the movie star,” she writes.

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History of this topic

‘Challengers’ movie review: Advantage Zendaya in this risqué romance
10 months, 3 weeks ago

‘Challengers’ movie review: Advantage Zendaya in this risqué romance

The Hindu  

The truly gladiatorial nature of tennis is laid bare in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers. Told over a somewhat bewildering number of timelines, Challengers follows three tennis prodigies — Tashi and best friends Patrick and Art — from their teens to their thirties. In the present day, we see Art and Tashi as a power couple, managing an empire, living in five-star …

‘Challengers’ Review: The Buzzy Tennis Film Has 1 Problem
10 months, 3 weeks ago

‘Challengers’ Review: The Buzzy Tennis Film Has 1 Problem

Huff Post  

Mike Faist as Art, Zendaya as Tashi, and Josh O'Connor as Patrick in "Challengers." In case you’ve been living under a rock, “Challengers,” according to social media, is the “Zendaya tennis love triangle movie.” The movie’s marketing has relied heavily on its star power: Zendaya stars as tennis phenom Tashi, alongside Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist as Patrick and Art, …

Challengers review: Zendaya's bright, sexy and witty tennis love triangle is a smash, writes BRIAN VINER
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Challengers review: Zendaya's bright, sexy and witty tennis love triangle is a smash, writes BRIAN VINER

Daily Mail  

Challengers Verdict: Game, set and love match Rating: The Italian director Luca Guadagnino certainly can't be accused of making boring films. Guadagnino's latest, Challengers, is about a love triangle, which is one of the most hackneyed of all cinematic subjects, but let's just say he gives it topspin by setting it in the unforgiving world of professional tennis and giving …

Review: In the sexy, adrenalized ‘Challengers,’ tennis competitors don’t skimp on the foreplay
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Review: In the sexy, adrenalized ‘Challengers,’ tennis competitors don’t skimp on the foreplay

LA Times  

The French monks who invented tennis nine centuries ago must be blushing that Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” exposes their sport as one reeking of sexual frustration. “Call Me by Your Name” struck a nerve because it wasn’t just handsome shots of Timothée Chalamet gazing longingly at Armie Hammer — it also showed the boy sneaking away to sniff Hammer’s swim trunks. …

Challengers: Zendaya and her tennis boys teach us a lesson about the sport
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Challengers: Zendaya and her tennis boys teach us a lesson about the sport

New York Times  

There’s a moment in Challengers, the new movie starring Zendaya as a once-great tennis phenom named Tashi Donaldson, where she is asked to describe what the sport is to her. “There’s such a deep intimacy that gets created on the court, because for however many hours it takes to play a match, you’re so totally focussed on this other person,” …

Movie Review: Prepare to get hot and bothered with stylish, synthy tennis drama ‘Challengers’
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Movie Review: Prepare to get hot and bothered with stylish, synthy tennis drama ‘Challengers’

Associated Press  

“Challengers” is a bit of a tease. And like “Call Me By Your Name” did for Chalamet, “Challengers” is one of those rare original big-screen delights that firmly announces the arrival of a new generation of movie stars. She has played significant supporting roles in some of the biggest movies of the past few years, from “Spider-Man” to “Dune,” and …

Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist on the steamy love triangle of ‘Challengers’
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist on the steamy love triangle of ‘Challengers’

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — How sexy can a qualifying tennis tournament in New Rochelle, New York, be? When the on-court drama involves Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, the answer turns out to be quite a bit more than your average USTA singles match in Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers.” The film, directed by Guadagnino from a script by playwright Justin Kuritzkes, may …

Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist on the steamy love triangle of 'Challengers'
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist on the steamy love triangle of 'Challengers'

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. When the on-court drama involves Zendaya, Josh O’Connor …

How upcoming tennis drama ‘Challengers’ showcases Zendaya’s versatility
11 months, 1 week ago

How upcoming tennis drama ‘Challengers’ showcases Zendaya’s versatility

The Hindu  

Zendaya relished the double duty of producing "Challengers", a tense drama set in the world of professional tennis, and starring in the film's leading role. In "Challengers", directed by Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya plays Tashi Duncan, a self-confident former tennis champion who, following an injury, now coaches her husband Art. "Challengers" marks the feature film screenwriting debut for Justin Kuritzkes, who …

The 17 movies we’re most excited about in 2024
1 year, 2 months ago

The 17 movies we’re most excited about in 2024

LA Times  

Zendaya in the movie “Challengers.” I’m already on record as a Luca Guadagnino obsessive, and have spent countless hours watching Grand Slam tennis on TV, so choosing my most anticipated movie of 2024 was a no-brainer. Originally slated to premiere at last year’s Venice Film Festival ahead of a September theatrical release, “Challengers” was among the titles delayed by Hollywood’s …

Zendaya opens up about ‘intense’ erotic scenes in new tennis drama Challengers
1 year, 6 months ago

Zendaya opens up about ‘intense’ erotic scenes in new tennis drama Challengers

The Independent  

Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Speaking to Elle magazine, Zendaya, 26, was asked about the film’s …

Zendaya tennis drama ‘Challengers’ to open Venice Film Festival
1 year, 8 months ago

Zendaya tennis drama ‘Challengers’ to open Venice Film Festival

Associated Press  

The Venice Film Festival is serving up one of the year’s buzzier films as its opening night selection in Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers.” The romantic tennis drama starring Zendaya, “West Side Story’s” Mike Faist and “The Crown’s” Josh O’Connor will have its world premiere out of competition at the 80th edition of the festival in September, organizers said Thursday. “I can’t …

Zendaya tennis drama ‘Challengers’ to open Venice Film Festival
1 year, 8 months ago

Zendaya tennis drama ‘Challengers’ to open Venice Film Festival

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Venice Film Festival is …

Challengers trailer out: Zendaya as a tennis prodigy mixed up in rivalry & love triangle
1 year, 9 months ago

Challengers trailer out: Zendaya as a tennis prodigy mixed up in rivalry & love triangle

India TV News  

Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor are stuck in a love triangle in the upcoming movie titled Challengers. Zendaya plays the role of Tashl, who is an emerging tennis player. Challengers feature a star-studded cast including Zendaya, who plays the role of a young and emerging tennis player. Challengers are basically the story of Tashl Duncan, a professional tennis player …

Serena vs. Osaka: ‘There’s going to be some kind of big drama in the final’
5 years, 6 months ago

Serena vs. Osaka: ‘There’s going to be some kind of big drama in the final’

CNN  

CNN — It’s the night before the 2018 US Open women’s final between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, and coach Sascha Bajin was struggling to sleep. “The first nightmare involved some controversy with Serena on the court, and the second was about an argument that I got into with Serena’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.” A few hours later, as he headed …

Naomi Osaka: After Serena storm, US Open champion could have the last laugh
6 years, 6 months ago

Naomi Osaka: After Serena storm, US Open champion could have the last laugh

CNN  

CNN — The US Open should have been one of the showpiece events of the sporting summer. “Ultimately, you never know what you’re made out of until you’re tested,” Osaka’s coach, Sascha Bajin, told the New York Times. Speaking to WTA Insider two days after becoming the first Japanese player to win a grand slam singles title, Osaka said: “I …

Net gain: Williams into 9th US Open final, will face Osaka
6 years, 6 months ago

Net gain: Williams into 9th US Open final, will face Osaka

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Serena Williams was a bit shaky at the start of her U.S. Open semifinal. I have won a few doubles championships, so I know how to volley,” Williams said with a laugh, before adding this punch line: “I just usually come in only to shake hands.” With one more victory, Williams will earn her seventh U.S. Open …

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