Key Takeaways:
• Zendaya channelled a unique approach to portray a pro tennis player in ‘Challengers’.
• Seeing tennis as a dance helped Zendaya perfect her role.
• Sexual scenes in the movie were filmed with the guidance of an intimacy coordinator.
• ‘Challengers’ features a love triangle and a competitive element among the main characters.
• The film is slated to hit the theatres worldwide on April 26, 2024.
Embarking on a New Playing Field
Famed actress Zendaya of the Spider-Man franchise and Dune fame, set out her acting prowess on a new terrain, portraying a convincing tennis pro in Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Challengers’. This distinctive storyline depicts a plot of Zendaya’s character, Tashi Duncan, a retired tennis sensation turned coach, planning an uncanny strategy to curb her husband’s losing streak. The engaging narrative gets twisted when it’s unveiled that her husband must contest against Tashi’s former flame and his ex-best friend.
Becoming a Tennis Pro – Zendaya’s Unique Approach
Facing initial hiccups to get into the skin of a top-notch tennis player, Zendaya embraced a singular approach and perceived tennis as a dance. This perception assisted her to emulate mannerisms and footwork, aiding her to impeccably feign the aptitude on camera.
Her co-actor, Josh O’Connor, lauds this transformation and stated, “It was a real miracle“ how “she looked like a real pro” on camera.
Training Hard to Meet the Role Requirement
Acknowledging her limited knowledge in tennis, Zendaya earnestly dived into training schedules set by renowned Brad Gilbert. This rigorous routine was conducted on three different tennis courts in the company of her co-stars, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist. Zendaya also received additional pointers from Eric Taino, a former ATP Tour player, known for his collaborations like ‘King Richard’.
Intimacy Coordinator – An Essential Requirement
Peeping into the volatile love triangle of the three main leads, ‘Challengers’ also delves into intricate sensual scenes. Zendaya candidly speaks on the importance of the presence of an intimacy coordinator during the filming of bold scenes. She emphasized how the coordinator played a crucial role in making everyone on-set feel at ease.
Making It More Than Just a Film
To make the characters more relatable and genuine, Zendaya, along with her co-stars, invested substantial time in bonding and rehearsing together. Their off-screen camaraderie helps to bring an extra layer of authenticity to their on-screen characters.
As shared by Mike Faist, the strong friendship developed while working on ‘Challengers’ was natural and impactful. He stated that this bond helped them to deliver a compelling performance and narrate a compelling story.
Coming Soon!
Brace yourselves as ‘Challengers’ is ready to enthral audiences worldwide when it hits the theatres on April 26, 2024. Expect a potent mix of drama, fiery competition, and a complicated love triangle skilfully woven by the skilled director, Luca Guadagnino.
Watch this space for more updates on ‘Challengers’. Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate and discuss digital entertainment through our in-depth coverage.
