Stars and filmmakers from Apple TV’s The Dink hit the blue carpet alongside pros from the LA Mad Drops to celebrate the premiere of the new pickleball comedy.

Ben Johns and Connor Garnett traded their court gear for more formal attire, posing for photos and chatting with media. For both players, the moment felt surreal. Neither ever imagined pickleball would grow big enough to inspire a feature film.

“Pickleball has taken over in many ways. It’s taken over our lives, and so many people who play it obsessively,” said Johns. “It’s incredibly healthy for so many people, so to see it in Hollywood and now seeing it in people’s living rooms, it’s really cool.”

“This is my first time walking a red carpet, so it’s pretty cool out here,” mentioned Garnett. “I didn’t even know where to look for the pictures, but having people shout our names is pretty surreal.”

LA native Roscoe Bellamy was also in attendance. 

“My mom was actually the pickleball double for Mary Steenburgen, so I’m excited to see how that looks in the movie,” said Bellamy. “Seeing pickleball on the big screen is taking a big step for the sport. When I first started playing, I was scared to tell people I played pickleball, and now I’m more confident in it. Pickleball has become the cool thing to do, and this movie really shows it.”

Mary Brascia was thrilled to be there, too. 

“We had so much fun at The Dink movie premiere. We were honored to be invited to represent the PPA Tour and our brand, Fun Pickleball. It was super cool to see pickleball on the big screen,” she noted. “We got to walk the red carpet, which was a super cool experience. The movie was so cute and funny. I recommend all pickleballers watch it because it was super positive and shows how pickleball is FUN, social, and can change your life.”

The pros loved seeing the film come to life. And for the cast and crew, making a pickleball movie had a lasting effect. Many have since become avid players themselves. 

Cleo King, who plays Gail, shared how much fun she had working on the project.  

“I was ecstatic when Jake said we’re doing a pickleball movie,” said King.

King revealed that part of her audition involved hitting a pickleball, as filmmakers wanted to see if she looked like a natural on the court. It was all part of a larger effort to cast actors who could bring as much authenticity to the game as possible.

Since working on the film, King now plays pickleball regularly.

“I play two to three times a week now. I really love the game,” she praised. “I’m addicted to pickleball. I just love the energy, and I really love returning the ball. I love getting my opponents back after a good shot.”  

Aaron Chen, who plays PJ, a tennis player in the film, admitted he was disappointed he didn’t get to play much pickleball on set, especially after seeing how fun it looked.

“It was really hard for them to choreograph because the ball moves quicker than you think,” shared Chen.

Like many involved in the project, Chen never expected pickleball’s rise to intersect with his own career in such a way.

“I moved to America three years ago and my friend invited me to play pickleball,” he recalled. “A few years later, I got asked to do this pickleball movie. I was flabbergasted.”

These days, Chen plays pickleball every Wednesday.

With the film premiering this Friday, audiences can expect plenty of laughs and some genuinely fun pickleball scenes along the way.

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