Movie Trailer: "Battle Of The Sexes"

By Josh Tarpley

The first trailer for “Battle of the Sexes” hit the web today and it looks incredible. The next directorial effort from Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton (“Little Miss Sunshine”), the movie will tell the story of the famed tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King. Part sports movie, part absurdist dramedy lampooning the misogyny of the era, so far “Battle of the Sexes” looks like a real winner.

Click beyond the jump to check out the trailer.

Fresh off her Oscar win, Emma Stone looks to be bridging the gap between her prestige work in Academy fair (“Birdman,” “La La Land”) with the straight comedic work that launched her into stardom (“Superbad,” “Easy A”). On the other side, casting Steve Carrell as Bobby Riggs is a stroke of genius. Though the opening of the trailer was very reminiscent of the therapy scene from his Oscar nominated turn in “The Big Short,” Bobby Riggs holds a worse worldview than that of Mark Baum.

What could have come across as an off putting portrayal of a sexist, Carrell’s (accurate) portrayal of Riggs lends itself to the comedic aspect of the movie. The movie is aware of the time period it is recreating. Whether it be the retro style of filmmaking or the top-notch production/costume design, Faris and Dayton look to have brought to “Battle of the Sexes” the same magic that made “Little Miss Sunshine” such a hit.

What do you guys think? Are you excited for “Battle of the Sexes?” What do you think of its Awards chances? If it is as good as we think it will be, I think a Best Comedy/Musical at the Globes is a guarantee. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

​Official synopsis for “Battle of the Sexes” below,”

The electrifying 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the BATTLE OF THE SEXES and became the most watched televised sports event of all time. The match caught the zeitgeist and sparked a global conversation on gender equality, spurring on the feminist movement. Trapped in the media glare, King and Riggs were on opposites sides of a binary argument, but off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. With a supportive husband urging her to fight the Establishment for equal pay, the fiercely private King was also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, while Riggs gambled his legacy and reputation in a bid to relive the glories of his past. Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis courts and animated the discussions between men and women in bedrooms and boardrooms around the world.

You can follow Josh and hear more of his thoughts on the Oscars and Film/Television on Twitter at @JoshTarpley7