Zendaya, Mike Faist & Josh O’Connor on “Challengers”, Love Triangles, and Playing Teenagers

MTV’s Josh Horowitz chats with Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor about their new film “Challengers,” what makes a movie sexy, who amongst them is the most competitive, convincing Zendaya to do theatre, and more.
Host: Josh Horowitz
Producers: Sammy Heller, Cheryl Krucas
Editor: Alison Gately
Director of Photography: Jarred McGriff
Camera Op: Khalil Parham
Audio: Kurt Pierce
Office PA: Izzy Ingram
Manager, Celebrity Talent: Emily Jacobs
Production Manager: Ravali Babooram
Sr. Director, Production Management: Rebecca Hartman
VP, MTV Brand Social: India Little
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[@samanthapereira3829]

their chemistry is off the charts

[@noops99]

the chemistry is chemistrying so harddddd I'm so excited to watch this film!!

[@andydv27]

I love how Mike calls Zendaya "Z" ❤

[@robinvolpi]

Josh actually began calling her that early on then Mike eventually followed, seemingly becoming more comfortable... during the press tour.

[@andydv27]

@@robinvolpi love that!

[@jkc5155]

It's so cute. I haven't heard anyone call her that since Bella did in the Disney days ✨

[@robinvolpi]

@@jkc5155 Many ppl call her that, including a few of the interviewers... and Josh started calling her that early on in the press tour while Mike was still using her full name. As time went on he apparently became more comfortable.

[@mindtheprivacy]

Seeing their actual personalities in all these interviews, i realize how good actors they are. I would not ever thought of them for these....

[@karabokhanyile]

I love Mike's honesty

[@dionnebennett5455]

Mike is just being rude & competitive when he talks about never watching their work. Sometimes we mistake rudeness for honesty.

[@rikerich1769]

He has Cillian Murphy vibes

[@cgm530]

@@dionnebennett5455 he clearly just doesn't spend any time online or happen to gravitate towards their type of movies, it's not that serious

[@KrisWickliffe]

On the contrary, Mike like the other two and maybe more is very uncomfortable doing press and this is been one busy press tour! He is actually come way out and projected himself with his intelligence and dry sense of humor when he does talk. He is very insightful any great listener so that's why you might have caught him not talking much

[@sparkygirl266]

@@dionnebennett5455 bruh he's not trying to be competitive. He just hasn't seen one of their movies its not a big deal.

[@heychardonnay]

josh is so charismatic omg

[@mimifanet]

Josh is so adorable 😂

[@yessicasalinas166]

Josh is an OC fan but also a Seth Cohen fan?!?!? When I believed I couldn't love him more OMG

[@tierraellerbe1802]

How do u know that 😩👀

[@flapjackalopis711]

@@tierraellerbe1802did you watch the interview? 😂 he says it

[@tierraellerbe1802]

@@flapjackalopis711 this was before I watched it but once I did I got what u meant 😭🤷🏽‍♀️👀😩

[@princess_zuzu]

these three have amazing chemistry. they are so stunning and i'm obsessed with zendaya and josh's style

[@lavienrosewon8811]

They have better chemistry than dune 2 ,Zendaya look so free

[@stardusbaby5013]

dune is a whole other universe, a lot of material to remember with a huge fanbase thats mostly adults. its safe to assume that it put much pressure than film like this

[@crossstreeter]

I’m in love with Mike Faist. Never seen before.

[@rikerich1769]

West Side Story, Panic, and an upcoming movie called Bikeriders will premiere in June 2024

[@ericamacs3875]

He was amazing on stage last year in Brokeback Mountain, with Lucas Hedges.

[@allthingsnerdy5474]

zendaya's smile literally brighten up the room

[@giuliac9735]

I love these three so much together! Z is like the líder that takes the initiative, josh is adorable and funny and mike's dry humor kills me ! 😂

[@petercorzo3407]

man the critics and fans really liked their new film. it really works all of us are in. we'll watch.

[@Elmerphant]

Full Earth Sign Friendship here: Capricorn, Virgo & Taurus My people!

[@emilycaltania7375]

mike was so relaxed in this interview i love these three sm

[@andydv27]

I agree with Josh! Can we bring Zendaya back on the stage?! I remember when I saw her compete on Dancing with the Stars with her partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy, I absolutely LOVED watching them! That was my favorite season!! Also watching her in The Greatest Showman was just phenomenal!! Zac and Zendaya were just amazing!! Zendaya is so talented and I would absolutely love to see her return to dance or theater!! 👏🏻🔥

[@hanibeeez]

Yes we need Zendaya in a musical

[@earthtohannah.]

yesss z and mike leads in a new musical??? we need it.

[@ariafelisha]

The way Zendaya is so grateful for the team… and also her use of amalgamation ❤️‍🔥

[@janamorning6697]

love all of zendaya’s press tour looks. the waves inspired by like post-game undone braids... so good

[@OrangelLuke2001]

Zendaya did Josh so dirty by literally stop talking and stay silent with the tummy sound lmao

[@vanessag5449]

Zendaya is gorgeous! seeing it this weekend😊

[@iconiicxbecky]

i LOVE this cast

[@jnnae]

I am, unfortunately, in love with Josh O’Connor

[@lavienrosewon8811]

Josh is real,Zendaya need going in musical movie again like the greatest show ❤

[@everythingkpxp]

“I still look the same as I did when I was 16 years old” GORRRLLLL that’s that melaninnnnnnnn👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😌

[@darklinaendgame]

i need these people to actually talk about sexual intimacy like PLEASE without their media training making it so that nothing even remotely raunchy is said. What makes Luca's movies special is how well he captures desire, in all its romantic and non-romantic forms and everything in between, how can we not dig into that? This is a sexy movie that has clearly intentionally arousing scenes, we should be able to talk about it!!!

[@Sara-dw6fu]

Luca is a creep with a good eye, let's not try to romanticize his sexual fetishes.

[@Silentlover99]

Mike has old soul energy 😂

[@vitaflood6677]

luca is a GENIUSSS

[@SuperBlessedKing]

Zendaya is so cute.

[@Victor-rx2lf]

mike 👍

[@twittertwice]

Mike is not a promo tour guy and I am with him. Dumb questions by entertainment reporters are do yucky.

[@KrisWickliffe]

Pls put them in another novie together !!! I think I can speak for most saying that we have all enjoyed their press tour as much as the movie or any of the favorite movies we've ever seen🎉 maybe a musical since they can all sing and I know that Zendaya and Mike can dance and possibly Josh

[@adrianh4452]

JOSH O CONNOR IS THE SWEETEST OH MY GOD

[@Char98]

Josh looks like he could play Roddy in a live action flushed away lmao

[@tiah1927]

I’m not ready to switch gears from Chani… I don’t know how actors do it??? I’m so swept up in that character, in that Universe. I wonder how long it takes them to shake the characters

[@muaddibnelson]

Interestingly enough, Z filmed Challengers first than shot Dune: Part Two right after.

[@rachelfarmer0277]

Yes you do Zendaya

[@SuperKherlen]

This interviewer is asking the right questions, thank you ☺

[@gauravgummaraju]

Mike's got that Jeremy Renner laugh

[@mayababy3012]

5:36 was crazy

[@ilovehamlinz]

i was looking for anyone to mention this😭😭 him saying “ofc bc we were shooting in boston” had to save face rq

[@giuliac9735]

I don't get it

[@rouwenchen960]

same. I was like... what?

[@mayababy3012]

@@giuliac9735 i presume they thought about the boston marathon b*mbing

[@mayababy3012]

@@ilovehamlinz right 😭

[@PeterPiccolo]

big poppa does his thang for real flight

[@HazeyFlicks]

This movie was so good !!!!

[@Linsey009]

ok josh the oc stan i see u friend!!!

[@Esterferreiradecastro]

Mike is so funny and interactive in this interview, I wonder what happened that made him losen up

[@taylorndiaye6726]

somebody get josh a churro!

[@kerotamahirome7869]

The movie was ducking epic man I wish more were like this wow solid 8/10

[@janekihm5119]

M I K E

[@gabriellebilo5320]

Hello

[@Twtybird1]

When the press tour is finished I think it’s going to be a little sad for these three to say their goodbyes. Finally one of them seems to be totally checked in and having fun. They won’t all be together again until the evening of March 2025 😉

[@tammytt76]

Why March 2025??

[@helloitsindo]

@@tammytt76that’s when the Oscars will take place!

[@liberty6866]

Thankfully they’ll be together for the met gala!!

[@leahreed2018]

I love how Josh is aware that someone can be a week so settle into a role. He’s my favorite

[@KrisWickliffe]

I must say from all the things I have seen Mike do for you and say about you with respect and😮 admiration he really has earned it. As you famously say .Just the way he looks at you I still can't get over... it's like he's looking at you but deeper into your soul with such happiness and pride that you are his close friend. Sure comes across to many thousands of people as the beginning of a love from him or already in love. You've got two exceptionally supportive, intelligent, hilarious. caring men on either side of you❤❤❤❤ Some people look their whole life for that kind of bond!! So happy for all of you and really hope all three of you can do a movie or some sort of entertainment together AGAIN because if there was ever something that's meant to be you have shown us it's you three exceptional actors and exceptional friends❤ Congrats on the exceptional reviews since the movie has come out can I plan on seeing it this weekend🎉 Bravo❤

[@KrisWickliffe]

❤

[@anihochishi7797]

His tum tums 🥺🤣

[@munch314]

I thought he was gonna say boston marathon bombing

[@mindtheprivacy]

Because z looks 16 years old its hard to buy she was a wife and a mother.

[@Sara-dw6fu]

0:43 buullshhiit lmao the Spiderman films were the biggest films in the world at the time, I love Mike (Not even a fan of Z) But he's got to be bullshiting.

[@m3gatron_]

Not everyone cares about superheroes 🙄

[@Sara-dw6fu]

@@m3gatron_ lol I didn’t care about the movies myself but I at least knew OF them. Like I said, they were everywhere. You couldn’t escape em.

[@saku.544]

@@Sara-dw6fu he's a 33 year old man lmfao there's nothing surprising about him not seeing any new spiderman movie.

[@Sara-dw6fu]

@@saku.544 33 is barely out of your 20's and like I said, its not about watching them its about hearing about the films. Especially if you're in the industry, you definitely knew about the films.

[@twittertwice]

I hated this interviewer🤨

[@marlonzogriffin6983]

Why’d don’t they make them a throuple

[@RubyFay-uj1ut]

first

[@gabriellebilo5320]

Cool

[@PeterPiccolo]

ッヘ　ガテウㇱイ　エㇷ゚エリエンチェ　professor x spidergead thor iron man iron butterfly… need to. direct movie about my gateway xperienced

[@Lover30583]

So just out of curiosity, if the character were white and the boys black and she said “I’m taking such good care of my little black boys”, that would be allowed and OK?

[@jordantaylor8982]

no it wouldn’t bc white ppl weren’t beat with whips ❤

[@simdivya]

dude... context...

[@bigtree802]

I’m sure people would have called it racism 😂 I’m black by the way

[@dionnebennett5455]

This interviewer didn’t do any research. Zendaya was involved in a Shakespeare theater from childhood, before tv or film. She chose not to inform him to prevent embarrassing him. But even if she hadn’t, it was rude of him to push the hierarchy that the two guys were above her because of their theater experience. He’s lucky she’s so nice because it was rude. I’ve never seen an interviewer do that to an actor before.

[@cgm530]

zendaya's theatre experience was a few youth productions when she was very small & the general public obviously never got the chance to see it. i don't think the interviewer was demeaning her tbh

[@BennyGrimm]

Where's TOM 😮?

[@Webstercolumbus]

He’s in London doing his own work. Because that’s what adults do

[@lalaland12]

Why would her boyfriend do press for a movie he's not a part of?

[@aysha1451]

Weirdo 😂

[@princess_zuzu]

why does he have to be here? you're weird 🤨

[@billiestevens318]

Definitely worth going to if you are on team rainbow. But if you don’t on at least one rainbow flag, it would probably be best for you to skip. This one will likely go down as the worst. M/F date movie ever.