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"I
think every time that you do it, you learn something new about
yourself. You get to learn from your peers and grow," said the
Hollywood star, who previously produced "Malcolm & Marie" and
her hit HBO series "Euphoria".
"It allows for you to have a seat at the table to protect
yourself and your fellow actors and community members," Zendaya,
27, said as she premiered the movie in London on Wednesday.
In "Challengers", directed by Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya plays
Tashi Duncan, a self-confident former tennis champion who,
following an injury, now coaches her husband Art (Mike Faist).
When Patrick (Josh O'Connor), Art's former best friend and
Tashi's boyfriend during their teenage years, suddenly reappears
after over decade, problems from their intertwined past start
seeping into their present.
"I just wanted to tackle a character that felt very
multidimensional and had such depth to her," said Zendaya.
"I think there's a perception or an idea of who she is or that
she's trying to portray to the world, but I think there's a lot
falling apart inside."
To ensure authenticity, the trio of actors immersed themselves
into the world of tennis, creating a close bond in the process.
"We had a six weeks' rehearsal and that included tennis training
and gym work," said O'Connor.
"I think the fact that we were on the same court for six weeks
in the lead up meant that we were just sort of forced together.
But we got on, we were really fortunate," the British actor, 33,
said.
"Challengers" marks the feature film screenwriting debut for
Justin Kuritzkes, who drew inspiration from watching Serena
Williams, Naomi Osaka, Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal in
action.
"I became a really obsessive tennis fan a couple of years ago.
And I started to think, what could I write that would be as
exciting as tennis and what would make tennis even better? And
for me, the answer of what would make tennis even better is to
know what's at stake for everybody in a really, microscopic
way," he said.
Audiences are in for an emotion-charged love triangle drama,
said O'Connor.
"It's about the complications of relationships and love and
desire and co-dependency," he said.
"Challengers" starts its global cinematic rollout on April 24.
(Reporting by Hanna Rantala; editing by Diane Craft)
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