LOADINGERROR LOADING
Zendaya admits she felt “pressure” before “Challengers” hit theaters this weekend.
The actor, fresh off the release of “Dune: Part Two” earlier this year, opened up to Entertainment Weekly about how she’s handling the release of the steamy Luca Guadagnino-directed tennis drama.
“I always am nervous — I wish I was joking,” she recently told EW.
She continued, “From a personal perspective, this is my first time leading a film in this way, so I’ve felt that pressure, that fear, burden, or whatever from the beginning of just wanting to make something that I’m proud of and enjoy it, and sometimes that can be very difficult.”
Advertisem*nt
The Golden Globe and Emmy winner stars as Tashi Donaldson, a tennis prodigy who retires and becomes a coach following an injury. Her character is submerged in a tense drama on and off the court as two friends/tennis players (played by Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor) fight over her.
She described the characters in the film as “incredibly complex and interesting,” noting that it’s difficult to answer what the film is about “in under an hour.”
“It’s impossible to sum it up or define it, really, because it’s a comedy, but it’s not, but it’s a drama, but it’s not, it’s a sports movie, but it’s not. It’s undefinable in this really beautiful way,” Zendaya said.
“It’s something that people just have to experience for themselves and they will enjoy, I think, judging the characters and arguing about it after and changing their minds and coming up with theories and ideas.”
Advertisem*nt
Zendaya, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, revealed that she heard “wonderful things” about Guadagnino from her “Dune” co-star Timothée Chalamet, who starred in the filmmaker’s 2017 movie, “Call Me By Your Name.”
“Luca is brilliant and I’ve wanted to work with Luca for a very long time and this just seemed like the absolute perfect thing,” she said.
“When we first met about the script he had such a keen, deep understanding of the characters from the beginning and a clearer idea of the kind of movie he wanted to create. And the script was brilliant, [writer] Justin Kuritzkes is so talented and I’m so happy for him. So it all made sense.”
Variety reported that “Challengers” is expected to lead the domestic box office with $12 million to $15 million in its opening weekend.
Advertisem*nt
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circ*mstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
