The rapidly growing sport of pickleball is heading to the big screen with The Dink, a new sports comedy featuring an all-star cast led by Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburgen, and Ed Harris.
The upcoming film follows Dusty Boyd (Johnson), a former tennis prodigy whose promising athletic career never lived up to expectations. Years after his playing days ended, Dusty finds himself coaching difficult children at his father Chuck’s exclusive suburban country club while desperately seeking the approval of the man who never stopped pushing him.
Chuck, played by Academy Award nominee Ed Harris, has become obsessed with stopping the pickleball phenomenon that is sweeping through the club. Dusty initially supports his father’s crusade against the increasingly popular sport, but everything changes when an old injury resurfaces and leaves him unable to play tennis.
With few options remaining, Dusty reluctantly picks up a pickleball paddle as part of his rehabilitation. What begins as a temporary solution soon becomes something much more meaningful. Alongside his new doubles partner Candace (Mary Steenburgen), Dusty discovers a passion for the game he once mocked and begins reevaluating his life, his past failures, and his complicated relationship with his father.
As tensions rise between traditional tennis enthusiasts and pickleball players at the club, Dusty finds himself caught in the middle of a battle that threatens to divide the community. Along the way, he is forced to confront old insecurities, including lingering memories of his childhood rival, tennis star Andy Roddick, who appears in the film as himself.
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Described as a heartfelt underdog comedy, The Dink combines sports rivalry, family drama, and plenty of laughs while exploring themes of identity, redemption, and finding unexpected second chances.
The film is directed by Josh Greenbaum, best known for Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, from a screenplay by Sean Clements, whose credits include Workaholics. The project is produced by Ben Stiller, John Lesher, Rob Paris, Mike Witherill, and Jake Johnson.
In addition to Johnson, Harris, and Steenburgen, the ensemble cast features Patton Oswalt, Chloe Fineman, Chris Parnell, Aaron Chen, and Ben Stiller, with appearances by Andy Roddick.
With pickleball continuing its rise as one of America’s fastest-growing sports, The Dink looks poised to bring the paddle-powered craze to movie audiences with a mix of comedy, heart, and sports-fueled competition.
