“Love” has a dual meaning in the upcoming film “King Richard.”
The first trailer for the fall biopic showcases two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith as Richard Williams, the father and early coach of famed tennis superstars Serena Williams and Venus Williams.
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (“Monsters and Men”), “King Richard” details the sisters’ journey from Compton, California, to global recognition, including a look at the father who raised and trained Venus and Serena, propelling them into two of the best tennis players in the world.
Co-starring as the superstar sisters will be Saniyya Sidney (“Fences”) as Venus and Demi Singleton (“Godfather of Harlem”) as Serena.
The trailer gives audiences a preview of how Richard Williams created and developed his daughters’ innate talent and ability as they transformed into full-blown athletic icons.
“I wrote me a 78-page plan for their whole career before they was even born,” says Smith’s senior Williams in the clip.
The Warner Bros. film is positioned to depict the pressures and uphill battle the two young black girls faced at the start of their careers, which is reflected in a scene in which an emotional Richard Williams explains to his daughters, “You’re going to be representing every little black girl on Earth.”
The movie’s official description describes Richard Williams as “an undeterred father [with a] relentless drive and unapologetic vision to change the game” who is “instrumental in raising two of the most extraordinarily gifted athletes of all time, who will end up changing the sport of tennis forever.”
The three main stars will be accompanied by Emmy nominee Aunjanue Ellis (“Lovecraft Country”) as Oracene “Brandi” Williams, Tony Goldwyn (“Scandal”) as coach Paul Cohen and Jon Bernthal (“Baby Driver”) as coach Rick Macci, as well as two-time Emmy nominee Dylan McDermott (“The Practice,” “Hollywood”) as a fictional sports agent, Will Hodges.
Smith is serving as a producer alongside Tim White and Trevor White, with executive producers Venus and Serena Williams. “King Richard” will be screenwriter Zach Baylin’s debut feature film.
“King Richard” will be released in theaters on Nov. 19 and on HBO Max for 31 days following the theatrical release.
