Zendaya and Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Challengers’ to Skip France Theatrical Release, Debut on Prime Video

While unveiling its slate of new French originals and acquisitions on Monday, Prime Video announced that it would skip a French theatrical release for Challengers, Luca Guadagninos anticipated tennis drama. The film, which stars Zendaya, Josh OConnorand West Side Story star Mike Faist, will still be released in theaters in all other territories.

During a posh press event hosted at the Pavillon Royal on the outskirts of Paris, BrigitteRicou-Bellan, Prime Videos country managing director for France, said the strategic move by the Amazon streamer resulted from Frances notoriously strict windowing rules, which demands streamers to wait 15 to 17 months after a theatrical roll out before making a new film available on their services. The rule has led other studios to opt to skip French cinemas for new releases before, such as Disneys decision to debut Strange World on streaming.

Were a strong partner for French cinema and well-established talent. We contribute to the National Film Boards subsidy scheme, but streaming services have been incited to no opt for theatrical releases fo our original films, Ricou-Bellan told journalists. Subscription-based services have been placed at a strong disadvantage compared due to this windowing system.

The executive pointed out theres very active dialogues to update the rules and that she truly hopes they will lead to more flexibility to benefit audiences and Prime subscribers in particular.

Ricou-Bellan hinted that Challengers wont be the last Prime Video movie to forgo a release in French cinemas. Up next, were continuing to favor the expectations of fans and our members, she stated.

During the event, Prime Video announced nine new French originals, including Melanie Laurents heist romance Sulak in which she will star opposite Emily in Paris actor Lucas Bravo. Headed by Thomas Dubois, Prime Videos roster of originals also includes Sentinelle, a burlesque comedy starring Jonathan Cohen as a high profile cop-turned-crooner living on the island of La Reunion; and Le Stupefiant Noel des Silstone, a parodic Christmas movie co-created and directed by Arthur Sanigou whos worked on LOL: Qui rit, qui sort, the local version of Amazons hit format LOL. The movie is produced by Philippe Lacheau, the actor-filmmaker behind Alibi.com 2, the years second highest grossing French film. Prime Video is also banking on action with the original movie Tigres Hyenes directed and co-written by Jrmie Guez (B.R.I). The series lineup also comprises Oukira, an action series set against the backdrop of the riots that erupted in the French projects in 2005.

Prime Video confirmed the scary spinoff of LOL which will bring together well-known actors who will have to be the last to scream, as well as laugh, in order to win the top prize. New factual formats include Comedy Class, a talent show highlighting stand up comedians, produced by ITV Studios France.

Prime Videos new slate of acquisitions and co-productions, which is headed by Sahar Baghery, is also packed with content mixing action, comedy and social themes with young actors. New titles include David Dianes soccer drama Numero 10, starring popular French comedian Ilyes Djadel and professional soccer player Ibrahima Diallo; Sirenes, a female-driver buddy cop movie starring Alice Pol, and Shirine Boutella, produced by Mandarin Compagnie (Coeurs Noirs), as well as Nudes, a timely series tackling cyber bullying and sexuality through the stories of three teenagers. Produced by Wild Bunch and Alcatraz Films, Nudes is directed by a trio of politically minded filmmakers, Sylvie Verheyde, Lucie Borleteau and Andra Bescond.

Baghery also unveiled new collaborations with French TV channels on several prestige titles such as Machine, a daring series in the veins of Nikita, co-created and co-written by Thomas Bidegain and Fred Grivois. Prime Video and France Televisions are also back together for the second season of Coeurs Noirs, a harrowing war series about French special forces in Iraq, directed by Oscar-nominated French-Lebanese filmmakerZiad Doueiri(The Insult, The Attack).

After venturing into factual, Prime Video in France will also innovate with its first short-format comedy title, En terrasse, which will revolve around 20-something David and his two childhood pals who moved to Paris with big hopes and get together to chat about their new lives. En terrasse is produced by Calt, the banner behind some of Frances highest rated short-format comedies such as Camera Caf.