How Zendaya faced every challenge in ‘Challenge’

How Zendaya faced every challenge in ‘Challenge’

Not that the movie needs one, but “Challengers” actor Josh O’Connor has an alternative title idea should the need arise: “This could be called ‘Co-dependency: The movie.'”

“That’s our other title!” Zendaya quipped.

“Challengers” – the official title – is a tennis drama from director Luca Guadagnino featuring a thrilling love triangle and seductive performances by Zendaya, O’Connor and Mike Faist. It is set for release this month after being pushed back from an initial September 2023 release date due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

As tennis prodigy Tashi Duncan, Zendaya takes on a lead role unlike anything audiences have seen from her before in projects like “The Greatest Showman” and the “Spider-Man” film franchise.

In “Challengers,” Tashi becomes the object of affection for childhood best friends and fellow tennis prodigies, Art (Faist) and Patrick (O’Connor), as they both compete for her heart. When Tashi suddenly faces an injury that ends his career at the peak of his potential, he turns to coaching, changing the course of the trio’s relationship and providing a host of new challenges.

“It’s like we’re seeing these people in real time, seeing their lives come to life
together and fall apart,” Zendaya said.

‘I love them, and I hate them’
In the film, Tashi is also seen in adulthood, having guided her husband Art to the heights of success as her trainer. However, he faces the painful reality of seeing him contemplate retirement as his incredible career, which seemed destined for him, draws to a close.

However, before his career ends, the stage is set for a reunion as Art faces Patrick in a pivotal match.

“I love them, and I hate them. I am very conflicted about the decisions they make and the things they choose to say and do to each other. But ultimately, that’s what creates a strong character,” Zendaya said.

The Golden Globe winner was drawn to the role by the depth and maturity of her character. Throughout most of the film, she portrays Tashi as an older woman, embracing the role of wife and mother – a departure from her previous roles, which often cast her as a high school student (see “Euphoria” and “Spider-Man” series) .

Although he initially felt conflicted about the character’s actions when reading the script, his perspective changed when he watched the film.

Zendaya as Tashi in “Challengers.”
“It was very easy to make Tashi the villain,” Zendaya said. “But I think there’s more to him. It was my challenge to empathize with him and somehow capture the audience’s attention.”

O’Connor agreed, admitting she felt sympathy for all three characters
different movie stages.

“It feels like a very refreshing modern interpretation of the complexities of relationships,” he says. “Codependency is painful and beautiful in equal measure.”

Behind the camera
“Challenge” is everything audiences have come to expect from a Guadagnino film. Known for titles like “Call Me by Your Name,” “I Love,” and “Suspiria,” Guadagnino once again delivers a visually and emotionally complex exploration of sexual desire.

For Zendaya, whose passion for filmmaking has seen her take a greater interest in work behind the camera, working with Guadagnino presents a new opportunity.

“The more time I spend in front of the camera, the more I enjoy being behind it,” Zendaya said. In addition to his starring role, he also holds a producer credit on “Challenger.”

“Being surrounded by Luca helped me gain confidence. It’s a wonderful place to learn and really feel like I have a voice and a seat at the table,” she said.

Zendaya is no stranger to working behind the camera. His journey as a producer began with “Malcolm & Marie,” a 2021 romantic drama film written and directed by Sam Levinson. Based on this experience, he teamed up with Levinson again, this time as an executive producer for the acclaimed HBO TV series, “Euphoria.” (CNN, like HBO, is a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery.)

The learning experience didn’t stop there, as all three actors dedicated themselves to a rigorous 12-week tennis training program led by former professional tennis player turned coach, Brad Gilbert.

“We had to develop our bodies to look and act like professional tennis players
players,” Faist said. During Gilbert’s illustrious career, he was coached by Andre Agassi, a former player who had a great rivalry with Pete Sampras.

According to Faist, the different playing styles of Sampras and Agassi influenced the development of Art and Patrick as tennis players.

“Andre is more rock ‘n’ roll, and Pete is more technical and
formulaic. Brad read the script and drew parallels with Art and Patrick
relationship,” he said.

The result is an immersive on-screen experience that many moviegoers will consider a triumph.