Did we need a movie about pickleball? Probably not. But for enthusiasts, perhaps it’s also about time, considering how the racket sport has spent the last few years in and out of the cultural spotlight. On August 19, Apple Original Films announced that it had acquired The Dink, a pickleball comedy starring Jake Johnson (New Girl , Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse ) with Ben Stiller serving as a producer.
Directed by Josh Greenbaum (Strays, Will & Harper), The Dink follows Johnson as a washed-up tennis pro who, in an attempt to save a struggling club and earn his father’s respect, breaks a sacred vow to do the unthinkable: play pickleball. If the movie’s synopsis isn’t enough to convince you that The Dink has all the makings of an over-the-top screwball sports comedy (à la Happy Gilmore or Hot Rod), then take a look at its cast.
Besides Johnson and Stiller, The Dink also stars Chris Parnell, Chloe Fineman, Ed Harris, Mary Steenburgen, Aaron Chen, Patton Oswalt, and Christine Taylor. Tennis champions Andy Roddick and John McEnroe will also make an appearance, and hopefully, Johnson will have done enough training to go toe-to-toe with them out on the court.
