Timothée Chalamet detailed a tense moment on the set of Marty Supreme, revealing his worry about the proximity of lighting equipment to a bathtub filled with water during filming. The 30-year-old actor shared this during a Q&A with Robert Downey Jr. in Los Angeles on January 14, discussing how the scene’s setup caused unease despite safety precautions.
Chalamet explained that, while shooting a scene where his character Marty Mauser is naked and submerged in water, he noticed the lighting rig hanging dangerously close to the tub. This led him to privately question director Josh Safdie about whether the fixtures were securely fastened to prevent collapse or electrocution. Chalamet said,
“Josh was so excitable that day and loving it. And we’re in the bathtub, It’s practical. There’s water. And I look up and there’s lights that are hanging off our rig basically. I pulled Josh aside. I was like, ‘Man, has this been properly done? It’s not going to collapse in the water? It’s not how I want to go out’”
while describing the precarious situation.
Details Around the Iconic Bathtub Sequence
The bathtub moment in Marty Supreme involves Chalamet’s character falling through the floor of a hotel bathroom and landing unexpectedly on a man played by Abel Ferrara and his dog. Chalamet recalled feeling that certain scenes like this seemed to thrill Safdie the most during production. He noted,
“I remember reading that thinking, ‘Man, with any other project that might be the thing, what is this?’ I also think those are the things that excite [Safdie] the most in filming. And then I’m there naked with the appropriate … I don’t know. I only know the dirty way of saying it, the c–k sock. I don’t know how else to say it.”
The actor acknowledged the director’s enthusiasm even in such daring situations, highlighting the intensity behind the filmmaking process.
Robert Downey Jr., present at the Q&A, praised the bathtub sequence, to which Chalamet responded appreciatively, saying,
“I appreciate it. I think Josh nailed that though.”
Critical Recognition and Awards for Chalamet’s Role in Marty Supreme
Marty Supreme follows the story of Marty Mauser, a young Jewish American table tennis player in 1952 striving to gather funds to attend the world championships in Japan. Chalamet’s performance has garnered widespread acclaim, earning him prestigious honors during awards season.
On January 4, Chalamet won the Best Actor award at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, and just a week later, he earned his first Golden Globe Award for the same role. These achievements highlight the impact of his portrayal in a film marked by intense and risky scenes such as the bathtub moment.
Upcoming Award Nominations and Industry Competition
Looking ahead, Chalamet is scheduled to receive another nomination at the 2026 Actor Awards, set for March 1. He is vying for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role against acclaimed actors Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, and Jesse Plemons for Bugonia. Last year, Chalamet secured the same award for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, signaling continued recognition of his talent in demanding roles.
Marty Supreme remains in theaters nationwide, drawing audience attention not only for its story but also for the dangerous and intense performances captured on screen.
