Fox Searchlight has unveiled an international trailer for their highly anticipated tennis drama Battle of the Sexes. Led by Steve Carell as chauvinistic ex-tennis champion Bobby Riggs and Emma Stone portraying feminist icon Billie Jean King, the film centres on the real-life showdown between the pair in the historical 1973 tennis match. As well as highlighting the rivalry, explosiveness, and attention the match sparked into the wider issue of gender equality.
Whereas the initial trailer for the film aimed its focus towards showcasing a comedic angle to the pair’s enmity, this trailer delivers greater insight towards the personas of our two leads. King’s personal life and her determination to earn commendation is on full display. While Steve Carell is unlikeable to the extreme as Riggs, however, his unwavering geniality is certain to grant warmth from audiences. From what we’ve seen so far, Carell and Stone appear absolutely excellent in their respected roles.
The film is pervaded with eminence with Little Miss Sunshine and Ruby Sparks pair Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris directing the project. While Academy Award winning screenwriter Simon Beaufoy is behind the screenplay. Those names alongside a celebrated cast does incite the film as a potential Oscars contender and with a prime award season placement, it appears Stone and Carell will be going for gold. And with the trailer promising an offbeat tone and strong resemblance to its fact-based narrative, the film seems destined to impress. Here is the offical synopsis:
Based on the incredible true story, the 1973 tennis match between women’s World #1, Billie Jean King (Emma Stone), and ex-men’s-champ and serial hustler, Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell), was billed as the “BATTLE OF THE SEXES” and became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time, reaching 90 million viewers around the world. As the rivalry between King and Riggs kicked into high gear, off-court each were fighting more personal and complex battles. Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis court, sparking discussions in bedrooms and boardrooms that continue to reverberate today.
The film opens on September 28th and also stars Andrea Riseborough, Sarah Silverman, Bill Pullman, Elizabeth Shue, Austin Stowell and Alan Cumming. Check out the new trailer below.
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