Joining the cast of The Dink, a new pickleball comedy from Josh Greenbaum, are Chloe Fineman, Patton Oswalt, and tennis icon John McEnroe. The trio adds to a growing ensemble that includes Aaron Chen, Martin Kove, Chris Parnell, and Christine Taylor, expanding the already star-studded lineup. Greenbaum, known for the recent Netflix documentary Will & Harper, is directing the comedy.
The project, which recently began filming in Los Angeles, had previously announced stars Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris, Ben Stiller, and former tennis pro Andy Roddick. Scripted by Sean Clements (Workaholics), the story revolves around a former tennis star attempting to rescue a struggling club, regain his father’s approval, and try his hand at pickleball, breaking a personal vow in the process.
Production for The Dink is helmed by John Lesher and Ben Stiller under the Red Hour Films label, with Johnson, Rob Paris, and Mike Witherill of Rivulet also producing. Fully financed by Rivulet, the film’s executive producers include Rick Steele, serving as the company’s senior strategic advisor, alongside Clements and Greenbaum.
Renowned tennis coach Brad Gilbert, who has worked with stars like Grand Slam winner Coco Gauff, has joined the team as a technical consultant with his wife Kim, following their recent consulting role in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers.
Previously, Stiller and Rivulet worked together on Nutcrackers, directed by David Gordon Green, which was later acquired by Hulu and Disney+ after its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
Fineman, a regular on Saturday Night Live, is also set to star in Hulu’s Summer of ‘69. Oswalt, known for roles in The King of Queens, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and Young Adult, joins as well. Chen, a mainstay on Netflix’s comedy Fisk, will appear with Amy Schumer in Kinda Pregnant. Kove is widely recognized for his work in The Karate Kid franchise and Cobra Kai on Netflix.
Parnell, a former SNL member from 1998-2006, voices characters in FX’s Archer and Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty. Taylor’s recent projects include High Desert on Apple TV+ and HBO Max’s Search Party, and she is known for her roles in Dodgeball and Zoolander. McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, has appeared in films like Jack and Jill and Anger Management and narrates Netflix’s Never Have I Ever.
Fineman is represented by CAA, Nicole Garcia Management, and Lichter Grossman Nichols. Oswalt is with UTA, Independent Artists Media, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. McEnroe’s representation is with IMG, while Chen is represented by UTA and 3 Arts Entertainment. Kove’s team includes Advanced Management and Feig Finkel LLP, while Taylor is represented by UTA and Strand Entertainment.