By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, July 28, 2021
A new trailer just dropped for the long-awaited biopic “King Richard” that’s already earning early Oscars buzz for its star Will Smith in his role as iconic tennis coach and father Richard Williams.
In the film, Smith plays the maverick Williams as he coaches his young daughters Venus and Serena from their early days living in Compton, California to becoming global superstars only a few years later.
The trailer shows highlights of Richard Williams facing opposition to his coaching style of his two daughters that went against the traditional route of junior tennis. In one scene, Williams boasts about his “78-page plan for their whole career before they were even born.”
Another scene recreates Venus Williams, at only age 14, making her pro debut at the WTA Tour event in Oakland back in 1994.
Serena and Venus Williams, along with their sister Isha Price, served as executive producers of the film that is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and written by Zach Baylin.
The supporting cast includes Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton as Venus and Serena Williams, Aunjanue Ellis as Oracene “Brandi” Williams, Jon Bernthal as coach Rick Macci, Tony Goldwyn as coach Paul Cohen, and Dylan McDermott as a sports agent.
Smith is no stranger to sports-focused films. He earned an Oscar nomination earlier in his career for “Ali”, where he played all-time great boxer Muhammad Ali. He also starred later in “Concussion”, which focused on brain damage cases among former NFL players.
“King Richard” will premiere on November 19 both in theaters and on HBO Max.
Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.