MGM is launching Luca Guadagnino’s Challenger 2023. The R-rated tennis drama starring Zendaya is expected to have a hot premiere at the Venice Film Festival , followed by a theatrical release in September 15. It will open in theaters April 15, 2023 and as a Venice Opening Night film, scheduled for August 15-September. 9.
“How do you get to Venice without Zendaya support?” noted one source of the change in release date.
Venice announces the replacement of Challengers with a new opener, replaced by filmmaker Edoardo De Angelis’ Commander . The move heralds upcoming pressure on fall festivals as they may plan a season without the SAG-AFTRA cast, who are unable to do promotional work during the strike.
In Challenger , Zendaya plays former tennis prodigy Tashi Duncan, now a coach whose husband (Mike Faist) is on a losing streak. He ends up competing with Patrick (Josh O’Connor), his former best friend and Tashi’s ex. As their past and present collide, Tashi is forced to ask herself what she’s willing to do to win.
The Challenger is produced by Amy Pascal through her Pascal Films banner, Guadagnino and Zendaya. The screenplay by playwright, singer and author Justin Kuritzkes has been 30 blacklisted. 2023
Here’s the latest on what’s sure to be more release date changes during the strike. On Thursday, Lionsgate announced a number of projects, including a sequel to Dirty Dancing . Zendaya is also one of the stars of Dune: Part II , currently slated for release on November 3rd, another difficult game to draw on without the backing of an A-list cast. 2023 2023
