Spider-Man: No Way Home and Dune star, Zendaya, is set to star in director Luca Guadagnino's upcoming tennis-themed romantic drama film, Challengers. The story of Challengers revolves around a tennis player turned coach, Tashi, who has taken her husband, Art, and transformed him from a middling player to a grand slam champion. Following Art's recent losing streak, Tashi makes him play a ‘Challenger’ event, which is close to the lowest tournament level on the pro tour, where he finds himself facing off against his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend, Patrick, leading to old rivalries being reignited on and off the court.
Now, it's been reported by THR that Zendaya is set to play the role of Tashi in Challengers. She will be joined by the Emmy Award-winning star of The Crown, Josh O'Connor, who will take on the role of Patrick, whereas the character, Art, will be played by West Side Story actor Mike Faist. Amy Pascal is set to produce the film under her Pascal Pictures banner, along with Guadagnino and Zendaya. The script, that was featured on the 2021 Hollywood Black List, will be penned by playwright-singer-author Justin Kuritzkes, in what will be his first feature film screenplay. Production on Challengers is expected to begin on the East Coast later this spring.
Having had a busy schedule in 2021, it appears that Zendaya has no plans on slowing down anytime soon following the Euphoria season 3 renewal and her involvement in Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two, which is set to begin filming later this year. As for Guadagnino, the Italian filmmaker is currently working on the post-production of his next film Bones & All, which reunites him with his Call Me By Your Name actor and Zendaya's Dune co-star, Timotheé Chalamet. With the proven talent on display on both sides of the camera, Challengers promises a collaboration that would undoubtedly satisfy fans of the American actress and moviegoers in general.
Source: THR