Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist are set to star in Luca Guadagnino’s new romantic drama 'Challengers'.

Zendaya, who will play the lead role of Tashi, is the only cast member officially signed to the project, while O'Connor and Faist are still in negotiations.

"Challengers" takes a look at the competitive world of tennis through the eyes of player-turned-coach Tashi (Zendaya). Through years of coaching, Tashi has turned her husband, Art (Mike Faist), into a Grand Slam tennis champion. When Art becomes caught in a losing streak, Tashi attempts to help him find his groove again by enrolling him in a "Challenger" event at the lowest pro tournament level. During the competition, Art must go up against Patrick (O'Connor), aka Tashi's ex-boyfriend and former best friend.

MGM recently picked up the rights to "Challengers" for Guadagnino to direct, and the film is based on a script from Justin Kuritzkes that landed on the 2021 Black List of the most liked unproduced screenplays.

"Spider-Man: No Way Home" producer Amy Pascal is producing the film via her Pascal Pictures alongside Zendaya and Guadagnino. Playwright Justin Kuritzkes is penning the script.

Emmy-winning actor Zendaya is currently starring in the second season of HBO’s wildly popular teenage drama "Euphoria". She recently reprised the role of MJ in "Spider-Man: No Way Home".

O'Connor, who is also an Emmy winner for his role as young Prince Charles in "The Crown", is next set to star in romance "The History of Sound" alongside Paul Mescal.

Following his breakout role as Riff in "West Side Story", Faist will next be seen in "Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game" from Austin and Meredith Bragg.

Source: Press Release