Cast of “King Richard” shares experiences on set in press conference

The words “King Richard” filled the Zoom screen as journalists awaited the start of the Nov. 7 press conference for the upcoming film of the same title. Photos courtesy of Tiana Chan

The bold red letters of “King Richard” jumped off the screen as film critics and journalists eagerly awaited the start of the Nov. 7 press conference for the upcoming biopic of the same title, which is set to release in theaters Nov. 19. 

Chatter in the Zoom meeting soon turned into enthusiastic greetings as people from Argentina, Nicaragua, Japan, Italy, Russia and Ireland filtered into the virtual forum. Soon, the image dissolved into the cast of the new film, “King Richard,” sitting together, smiling.

The conference was moderated by Jacqueline Coley, a film critic and editor at Rotten Tomatoes, and transmitted live from the tennis courts of the Warner Bros. lot. Before delving into the interview, Coley introduced herself and the cast, which included Venus and Serena Williams, Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Tony Goldwyn, Jon Bernthal, Demi Singleton and Saniyya Sidney. Also in attendance were writer Zach Baylin, producers Tim and Trevor White, producer Isha Price and director Reinaldo Marcus Green. 

From left to right: Serena Williams, Will Smith and Venus Williams led the Zoom conversation from the tennis courts on the Warner Bros. lot. 

“When Tim first brought me the idea about doing a film about Richard Williams, we kind of thought about it as this might be the greatest coaching story in the history of sports,” Trevor White said. “(But) it was far beyond a coaching story. It was a story about a family and a story about love and how that keeps, you know, the drive alive in a way.”

“King Richard” (2021) follows the true story of  Richard Williams, father to Venus and Serena Williams, who taught himself and his daughters how to play tennis after seeing a woman on TV win $40,000 in a tournament. The sisters became professional tennis players at the age of 14 and revolutionized the sport.  

While the Williams sisters’ story has been told in many different mediums such as books, magazines and documentaries, this is the first film to explore Richard Williams’ role in their lives. Producers Tim and Trevor White first conceived the idea when they saw an image of Richard Williams at the Lipton Championships in 1999 holding a sign in the stands that read, “I told you so.”

“(‘King Richard’) wasn’t just going to be a sports-centered package about these moments that we all know,” Trevor White added. “If we were really going to get to know (the Williams) family, (then) we needed the intimate moments.”

Will Smith said he knew he wanted to portray Richard Williams in “King Richard” when he saw an interview from 1995 where the interviewer questioned 14-year-old Venus Williams’ confidence to beat her opponent, and her father quickly intervened to defend her.

“I fell in love with Richard Williams … 20-something years ago,” Smith said. “When the opportunity to be a part of (‘King Richard’) came up, (the interview with Venus Williams) was the first thing that I remembered. I knew I wanted to show a father protecting a daughter like that to the world.” 

What makes the film unique according to producer Isha Price, sibling of Venus and Serena Williams, is the specificity and the attention to detail from all the actors and filmmakers involved on set. Price felt she had a responsibility to her family to make sure the story was told right. 

“To have willing participants in that journey with this entire cast and the entire production team … is why I think the product ends up being what it is and the story ends up being what it is,” Price said. “It was a journey, and it wasn’t always an easy, direct one, but I think sometimes the best things come from a lot of people working really hard and digging in to get it right.”

In order to portray the Williams sisters, actresses Singleton and Sidney did plenty of research. Sidney even took tennis lessons six months prior to her audition.  

Both actresses look up to the Williams sisters, so it was important for them to portray their relationship as accurately as possible. A standout memory for Singleton and Sidney was the first time Venus and Serena came to set. 

“We had such great conversations (with Venus and Serena) and it was never just about tennis,” Sidney said. “It was just about them as people. I’ve looked up to them, too, ever since I was little. It was very important to make sure that I let people know just how big of a heart that Venus has.”

When asked what lessons Venus and Serena Williams wanted people to take from the film, they both expressed believing in the practice of self-love, setting high goals and recognizing the importance of family.  

“Doubt does nothing for you,” Venus Williams said. “The same time you’re doubting is the same time you could spend believing in yourself and putting the work in, so that way you do believe and build confidence. As a family, you can achieve anything. If you don’t even understand tennis, you understand family. Some are born with that, (and) some of us have to create those families. But surrounding yourself with family can take you higher.”