Yahoo Movies Zendaya explains why Challengers doesn't have the sex scenes you expect
Zendaya has explained how her new film Challengers addresses the subject of sex through its sex scenes – or lack thereof.
Directed by Bones and All's Luca Guadagnino, the sports drama sees Zendaya in the role of Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy who is coaching her husband Art.
Down on his luck and on a losing streak, she says he should relegate himself to the Challenger circuit, where he faces off against his former best friend and Tashi's ex-lover Patrick.
Despite its steamy trailer packed full of sexually-charged scenes, the film's leading lady has opened up on how the sensuality in it does not come from out-and-out sex scenes.
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"What Luca's really good at is finding sensuality and desire. There's so much in just glances. The tension builds. Not having the release is a good thing sometimes," she told Empire in an interview that took place before the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Her co-star Josh O'Connor, who plays Patrick, added: "The tennis is the sex. Those moments are so sexy. The film is dealing with the tension before and after. The sex they're all desperate for is on the court."
The film was originally set to premiere at this year's Venice Film Festival, but due to the ongoing actor and writers strike, distributors MGM has withdrawn the film and pushed its release date to April 26, 2024.
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Zendaya recently joined her Euphoria co-stars in paying tribute to their friend and castmate Angus Cloud, who passed away on Monday (July 31) at the age of 25.
She wrote on Instagram: "I’m so grateful I got the chance to know him in this life, to call him a brother, to see his warm kind eyes and bright smile, or hear his infectious cackle of a laugh (I’m smiling now just thinking of it). I know people use this expression often when talking about folks they love… 'they could light up any room they entered' but boy let me tell you, he was the best at it.
"I’d like to remember him that way. For all of the boundless light, love and joy he always managed to give us. I’ll cherish every moment."
Challengers is released in the UK on April 26, 2024.
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