Zendaya's tennis movie, 'Challengers,' tests friendship bonds of complex trio. The actress discusses the importance of portraying multi-dimensional characters on screen
When Zendaya first read the script for director Luca Guadagnino’s romantic sports film “Challengers,” she immediately understood that the tennis player turned coach she would portray was unapologetic about her own power and how she wielded it.
“I also think that she isn't immediately dislikable, and she isn't perfect, and she isn't trying to be and we're not making any excuses for that either,” Zendaya said about her character, Tashi Duncan.
At the Los Angeles premiere of the film, Zendaya made an appearance wearing a neon green halter dress and delivered a message to the audience. She urged viewers not to judge the characters in the movie too harshly.
Zendaya believes that it is important to have complex characters in films, even if they are not necessarily likable. She emphasized the value of portraying multi-dimensional characters on screen.
The film revolves around Duncan, a former tennis prodigy who becomes a coach after a career-ending leg injury. Duncan's husband, played by Mike Faist, is a tennis champion facing a losing streak. To help him regain his confidence, Duncan devises a surprising strategy: a tournament against his ex-best friend, who also happens to be Duncan's ex-boyfriend.
The movie explores the intricate and unpredictable bond between the three main characters, as well as their shared passion for professional tennis.
This Amazon MGM Studios film is set to be released in theaters on Friday.
“We all are kind of very quick to judge characters,” said Josh O’Connor, who plays Duncan’s ex-boyfriend.
“But I think ultimately, the three of them have got this very complicated situation thrown upon them where they all kind of love each other," O'Connor said.
As Zendaya and her co-stars delved in to their characters and built chemistry over 12 weeks, they began to understand more of the psychology of tennis players.
“It seems incredibly lonely, and it's just you out there," Zendaya said. "I mean, there's someone across from you, but really you feel very isolated on your own and there's so much mental fortitude to stay focused and there's so many people watching you and every point matters so much."
Adding to the layers of her character, Zendaya worked to learn more about the sport while filming, garnering a compliment from former tennis star Serena Williams.
She sported outfits inspired by the movie while attending premieres.
"I want to try to make it feel like it's still an extension of the creative process of the making of it (the film) too," she said.
