Does Sydney feel a little hotter today than it did earlier this week? That’s because stars of new flick Challengers — Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor — have landed Down Under.
Ahead of the release of the hotly anticipated tennis film, the three lead stars were flown to Australia to promote the film at the official Australian premiere in Sydney on Wednesday night. And wow, did they look amazing!
Zendaya looked stunning in a glittery green number by Loewe. She said she came “dressed as a tennis court” thanks to creative director Jonathan Anderson because yes, this film will even make tennis courts look sexy as hell.
Here’s everything you need to know about Challengers, including some intel from the Sydney premiere.
Challengers MOVIE
Who is in the cast of Challengers?
Fresh from Euphoria and Dune: Part Two, Zendaya plays tennis-player-turned-coach Tashi.
In a previous interview, Zendaya (Euphoria) described the movie as a “career shift” of sorts for her to help her take on more “grown-up” roles.
“I felt like it was a good step into a more, I guess you could say, ‘grown-up’ role and into that next phase,” she told Elle, adding that the role was her “first time” playing a leading lady.
“It was a little bit scary to take on, which I think is a good feeling. To be like, ‘Ooh, can I do this?’ You could run from that feeling and stay safe and comfortable, or you can go, ‘You know what, fuck it.’”
Zendaya is also a producer on the film, and said at the Sydney Challengers premiere that having such a big role to play in how the film turned out was “incredible special”.
“[I feel] grateful to have an experience with someone who is clearly a very talented filmmaker and being able to kind of watch how he works and creates and also collaborates,” she said of the film’s director Luca Guadagnino.
“I think, all of us, we brought our own vision, our own ideas, which he was always open to and thoughtful about. Also, I think, just the entire creative process — it’s not just like when you create a character, it’s not just you. You’re like your amalgamation of a bunch of different people’s work and all the people that touch and help create the character.
“It’s very special to be able to collaborate in that real way behind the camera.”
Zendaya was joined at the premiere by her co-stars Mike Faist (West Side Story) and Josh O’Connor (The Crown), who act as her tennis player proteges.
While speaking at the Sydney premiere for the film, O’Conner said he and Faist had to do all kinds of physical preparations for the roles.
“We did six weeks of tennis training and going to the gym to work out,” he said, noting that they did “a lot of that”.
Is there a trailer?
Sure is! And it’s horny as hell.
Check it out below:
What is Challengers about?
Challengers is a sport/romance movie about three tennis players involved in a weird-ass love triangle.
Read the synopsis below:
Tashi, a tennis player turned coach, has transformed her husband from a mediocre player 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 tournament on the pro tour. Tensions soon run high when he finds himself standing across the net from the once-promising, now burnt-out Patrick, his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend.
Sounds spicy!
Zendaya in Challengers.
Where to watch Challengers in Australia?
Challengers will be available in cinemas soon and eventually on streaming — TBC on that one!
Zendaya looking hot as hell in Challengers.
Is Challengers based on a true story?
Nope! Pure fiction. Hot, horny, tennis-y fiction.
When is Challengers released in cinemas?
Challengers will be released in Aussie cinemas on April 18, 2024.
Batter up! Wait, wrong sport…
Image: Getty.
