Who would have guessed that the life of a ping pong player could serve up such cinematic drama? Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme—one of the year’s most anticipated films—puts Timothée Chalamet in the spotlight as Marty Mauser, a charismatic yet underestimated table tennis champion in the 1950s. The official synopsis hints at an underdog tale with grit: “A young man with a dream no one respects goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.”
After embodying music legend Bob Dylan, Chalamet now takes on a completely different challenge. Could an Oscar be hiding behind a ping pong paddle? Adding to the intrigue is a delightfully eclectic cast: Gwyneth Paltrow plays a glamorous movie star who sparks a scandalous on-the-road romance with Marty, Fran Drescher steps in as Marty’s strong-willed mother, and rapper Tyler, the Creator joins forces with magician Penn Jillette. Even “Shark Tank” mogul Kevin O’Leary—better known as Mr. Wonderful—makes an unexpected appearance, alongside Odessa A’zion and cult filmmaker Abel Ferrara.
Hitting theaters on December 25, Marty Supreme draws inspiration from real-life table tennis icon Marty Reisman. More than just a sportsman, Reisman was a hustler, showman, and author with a flair for performance—he even toured with the Harlem Globetrotters, dazzling audiences with his signature style and fearless personality. Safdie’s film promises to blend sports drama, mid-century glamour, and offbeat humor into a holiday release unlike anything else on the court—or the screen.
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