Emma Stone to portray Billie Jean King in upcoming film

The first look of Emma Stone in Battle of the Sexes has arrived and the Birdman actor looks almost unrecognisable as former tennis player Billie Jean King.

Her co-star Steve Carell has also undergone dramatic transformations to portray Bobby Riggs in the upcoming movie, reported Ace Showbiz.

The film depicts the infamous rivalry between tennis players Riggs and King in 1973. 55-years-old Riggs came out of his retirement to challenge 29-years-old King, who was ranked No. 2 female tennis player at the time, in a game later known as The Battle of the Sexes.” 

Little Miss Sunshine filmmakers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris are directing the movie with a script penned by Simon Beaufoy. Danny Boyle serves as one of the producers. Sarah Silverman and Alan Cumming are also among the cast members.

The still sees Emma Stone and Steve Carell as Billie Jean King, then the No. 1 women’s tennis player in the world, and retired pro Bobby Riggs, who, at a 1973 press conference, famously announced a highly publicised man-vs-woman tennis match that sparked discussion on gender equality around the nation and became the most-watched televised sporting event of all time.