Timothée Chalamet has disclosed a tense moment involving a background actor while shooting the film Marty Supreme. The American sports comedy-drama, which recently premiered, stars Chalamet as Marty Mauser and has already earned him a Golden Globe for Best Male Actor in a Musical or Comedy.
Set in the 1950s, Marty Supreme follows the journey of Marty Mauser, a fictionalized figure inspired by real-life table tennis champion Marty Reisman, as he strives for greatness. The film has gained widespread praise from audiences and critics alike, sparking early Oscar buzz for Chalamet’s performance.
Details of the Threat Encounter on Set
During a Q&A session held on January 14 at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles, held alongside Robert Downey Jr., Chalamet recounted a disturbing incident with a non-professional actor on the set. While filming a motel sequence, which involved many background performers who were not trained actors, Chalamet explained the challenge of eliciting genuine emotion from some of them.
He stated,
“I won’t say who, but in that motel sequence, there are a lot of non-actors… that I find it really thrilling to work with, but sometimes it would take multiple takes to really get something out of them.”
He continued,
“And I’m really getting in the guy’s face and I’m really trying to get him angry with me.”
Chalamet described how he was trying to provoke genuine anger from the man to improve the scene.
“I was saying to Josh [Safdie, the movie’s director], he’s not getting angry with me, he’s not getting angry with me.”
However, during another take, the situation escalated when the background actor responded with a menacing warning:
“I was just in jail for 30 years. You really don’t want to f**k with me. You don’t want to see me angry.” – Timothée Chalamet
Chalamet’s reaction captured the shock of the moment:
“I said to Josh, ‘Holy s**t, who do you have me opposite, man?’”
– Timothée Chalamet
Additional Insights Into the Film’s Production and Cast
The revelation about this intense exchange came just one day after director Josh Safdie shared a secret cameo in Marty Supreme. At an event at London’s BFI Southbank on January 13, Safdie revealed that Robert Pattinson lends his voice as the unseen announcer at the British Open ping pong semifinals between Marty Mauser and the Hungarian champion Bela Kletzki, portrayed by Géza Röhrig.
Safdie emphasized the playful nature of this casting choice:
“No one knows this, but that voice – the commentator, the umpire – is Pattinson. It’s like a little easter egg. Nobody knows about that. … He came and watched some stuff and I was like, I don’t know any British people. So he’s the umpire.”
– Josh Safdie
Fans quickly reacted after this revelation. One wrote on Twitter,
“Honestly surprised no one caught this. Now that I know it’s him you can really hear it lol.”
– Fan
Another added,
“I knew the voice was familiar but I couldn’t tell who.”
– Fan
The Growing Impact and Anticipated Future of Marty Supreme
With a star-studded cast including Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler, The Creator, and Odessa A’zion, Marty Supreme has made a significant impression since its release. The film’s exploration of ambition and resilience through the lens of 1950s table tennis has resonated with viewers, and the intense production stories underscore the intensity behind the scenes.
Chalamet’s vivid encounter with the background actor highlights the unpredictable challenges faced on set, adding another layer to the film’s behind-the-scenes narrative. As award season continues, all eyes remain on Timothée Chalamet Marty Supreme, expecting further recognition and acclaim in the coming months.
