We really do love Luca Guadagnino, a) when he’s on his gay shit, and b) when a project he announces actually gets to the shooting stage. But it seems like his sexy, bisexual latest movie Challengers, starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist (West Side Story), has had its own set of… um… challenges, with the SAG-AFTRA strike pushing back its late summer 2023 release to April of this year. That being said, some new promotional material — like a hand-drawn poster — has started to materialise, meaning its release is right around the corner.
So what’s the poster like? And what do we anticipate this potentially salacious new movie will be all about? Here’s what we know so far about Challengers.
What is the plot of Challengers?
Set in the cutthroat world of professional tennis, Challengers follows Tashi, a player-turned-coach who, until recently, had shaped her husband, Art, into a perfect player too. But when Art winds up on a losing streak, he’s entered into a low-league challenger tournament to prove himself again. On the way, he is forced to play against Patrick, Tashi’s old boyfriend and their teenage best friend, catalysing a complex love triangle. Expect —according to Luca himself — slightly queer undertones!
What actors are in Challengers, and who do they play?
Zendaya, of course, plays the lead character Tashi. Joining her as her husband is Mike Faist, who’s been a mainstay on Broadway for the past decade, appeared in Brokeback Mountain on the London stage, as well as earning new-found respect on screen playing Riff in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, turning him into an internet boyfriend. Patrick will be played by Josh O’Connor, known best for God’s Own Country and The Crown.
Who’s behind the camera?
Of course, we know Luca has directed the movie, and he’s worked with a script written by first-time screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes (who also penned the script for his forthcoming movie Queer. Super-producer Amy Pascal is on board too, having worked on Little Women, Barbie and The Post in the past, as well as the upcoming Madonna movie. Zendaya herself is also credited with a producer role on the film.
But what’s really caught our attention is the costume department. In a first for the designer, Jonathan Anderson has come on board to design the outfits for the movie. He made the announcement on his Instagram stories on 16 March 2022. Of course, it’s not the first time Luca has crossed over with a fashion brand, his short film The Staggering Girl doubled up as a fashion showcase for Valentino.
What’s this about the Challengers sex scenes?
“What Luca’s really good at is finding sensuality and desire,” Zendaya told Empire, pre-strike, for their latest cover story. “There’s so much in just glances. The tension builds. Not having the release is a good thing sometimes.”
True, but also, sex scenes are great – and in short supply these days due to general puritanism. Concerningly, Empire’s Ben Travis writes that the film’s action “is largely kept to the court,” adding an explanatory quote from Josh O’Connor: “The tennis is the sex. Those moments are so sexy. The film is dealing with the tension before and after. The sex they’re all desperate for is on the court.” Hmmm. We’ll still be watching, but reserve the right to riot.
What is the rating for Challengers?
The MPA have given Challengers an R rating “for language throughout, some sexual content and graphic nudity.”
Is there a trailer for Challengers?
There most certainly is. Two and a half minutes of tennis, tension and tragedy, scored by early-2010s Rihanna. Perfection.
Is there a poster for Challengers?
Yep! Zendaya unveiled the poster for Challengers on her Instagram on 2 January.
What is Challengers’ release date?
Though it was originally scheduled to hit theatres globally on 15 September 2023, following a coveted opening night slot at the Venice Film Festival, Challengers will now release on 26 April 2024. The move is a result of the SAG-AFTRA strike: if the film was to premiere in September, it would have done so without a single red carpet or magazine cover. With so much riding on Zendaya for publicity, and executives’ refusal to negotiate contracts in good faith, Amazon Studios have decided to push the film back.