A24 has unveiled the highly anticipated trailer for Marty Supreme, and cinema enthusiasts are buzzing about what might be Timothée Chalamet’s most transformative role yet. A24 on Wednesday debuted the first trailer for Marty Supreme, one of the year’s great cinematic curiosities, teaming Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) with filmmaker Josh Safdie (Uncut Gems). The sports dramedy promises to deliver the signature intensity that Safdie brought to his previous works, now channeled through the unexpected world of 1950s table tennis culture.
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Marty Supreme Trailer: Plot and Premise
The newly released Marty Supreme trailer introduces audiences to a captivating underdog story set against the backdrop of mid-century New York. The synopsis teases: “A young man with a dream no one respects goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness“.
This simple yet powerful premise forms the foundation for what appears to be an emotionally charged exploration of ambition, obsession, and the price of pursuing excellence.
Marty Supreme: Key Film Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Marty Supreme |
| Lead Actor | Timothée Chalamet as Marty Mauser |
| Director | Josh Safdie (solo directorial debut since 2008) |
| Screenplay | Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein |
| Production Company | A24 |
| Budget | $60-70 million (A24’s most expensive film) |
| Theatrical Release | December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day) |
| Runtime | 2 hours 29 minutes |
| Rating | R |
According to Variety, the budget is between $60-70 million, surpassing Civil War (2024) as A24’s most expensive film, signaling the studio’s confidence in this ambitious project and its Oscar potential.
Timothée Chalamet’s Intense Preparation for Marty Supreme
What sets Marty Supreme apart from typical sports dramas is the extraordinary commitment Timothée Chalamet made to authentically portray his character. Timothée Chalamet trained in table tennis for about six to seven years, starting in 2018, to prepare for his role in the upcoming movie Marty Supreme. This level of dedication rivals the preparation required for his acclaimed portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
Cinematographer Darius Khondji said earlier this year that Chalamet did thorough training to play the ping pong star. “He wanted to be like a real [professional] ping pong player when he started shooting,” Khondji said. For the ping-pong scenes, Chalamet was coached by Diego Schaaf and former American Olympian Wei Wang, ensuring that every serve, volley, and championship-level move looked authentic on screen.
The Star-Studded Ensemble Cast
While Timothée Chalamet anchors Marty Supreme as the titular character, the film boasts an eclectic and impressive ensemble cast that adds depth and intrigue to the narrative.
Complete Marty Supreme Cast
| Actor | Character/Role | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Timothée Chalamet | Marty Mauser | Lead; trained for 6-7 years for the role |
| Gwyneth Paltrow | Kay Stone | Movie star; first film since Avengers: Endgame (2019) |
| Fran Drescher | Mrs. Mauser | Marty’s mother |
| Tyler, The Creator | Close confidante | Feature film debut |
| Odessa A’zion | Love interest | Plays character questioning Marty’s dreams |
| Kevin O’Leary | Wealthy businessman | “Shark Tank” personality (Mr. Wonderful) |
| Penn Jillette | Undisclosed role | Famed magician |
| Sandra Bernhard | Undisclosed role | Comedian and actress |
| Abel Ferrara | Undisclosed role | Acclaimed filmmaker |
| Thomas Haden Church | Undisclosed role | Oscar-nominated actor |
Chalamet stars in the film opposite Gwyneth Paltrow, who plays a famous movie star that Marty begins an affair with on the road. Paltrow’s return to cinema after a six-year hiatus adds significant star power and generates additional buzz for the project.
What the Marty Supreme Trailer Reveals
The Marty Supreme trailer offers tantalizing glimpses into the film’s narrative structure and visual style. The trailer opens on Chalamet standing on the bed in his royal hotel suite, phoning a movie star played by Gwyneth Paltrow to let him know that he’s “something of a performer,” as well. This opening sequence immediately establishes Marty’s confidence and aspirations that extend beyond the ping pong table.
“I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m telling you, this game, it fills stadiums overseas,” Chalamet says in the trailer. “And it’s only a matter of time before I’m staring at you from the cover of a Wheaties box“. This dialogue captures both Marty’s ambition and the skepticism he faces from those around him.
The trailer also hints at the darker elements of Marty’s journey. In a later scene, Marty tells his love interest, played by Odessa A’zion, “I have a purpose, and if you think that’s some sort of blessing, it’s not“. This line suggests the psychological toll and personal sacrifices involved in pursuing greatness.
The Real Marty Reisman: Inspiration Behind Marty Supreme
While Marty Supreme is technically a fictionalized account, the film draws inspiration from the legendary American table tennis player Marty Reisman. In 2018, his wife and executive producer on the film, Sara Rossein, bought a copy of Marty Reisman’s 1974 autobiography The Money Player, thinking Safdie would enjoy it. Safdie was in conversations with Timothée Chalamet at the time, as they had recently become friends, and presented him the project by focusing on Reisman’s physical similarities to the actor.
The real Marty Reisman was a five-time bronze medalist at the World Table Tennis Championships who died in 2012. Known for his showmanship, quick wit, and unconventional style—he famously played with a hard-rubber paddle when others used sponge—Reisman became a legendary figure in table tennis circles. His 1974 autobiography “The Money Player” chronicled his hustling days and championship pursuits, providing rich material for cinematic adaptation.
Josh Safdie’s Solo Directorial Vision
Marty Supreme marks a significant milestone in Josh Safdie’s career as his first solo feature film since 2008’s The Pleasure of Being Robbed. “Marty Supreme” marks Josh Safdie’s first time directing since co-helming “Uncut Gems” with his brother Benny Safdie, and his first solo feature since his 2008 debut, “The Pleasure of Being Robbed”.
The Safdie brothers’ decision to pursue separate projects in 2025 has generated considerable interest in the film community. While Benny Safdie directed The Smashing Machine with Dwayne Johnson, Josh brings his signature kinetic energy and anxiety-inducing storytelling to the world of competitive ping pong.
At the film’s world premiere at the 2025 New York Film Festival, Safdie stated in his introduction that Marty Supreme “was written for [Chalamet] and his essence and his soul”, highlighting the deeply collaborative nature of the project and the specific tailoring of the role to Chalamet’s strengths.
Production Design and Cinematic Approach
The Marty Supreme trailer showcases a meticulous attention to period detail and visual storytelling. Darius Khondji shot the project on 35mm film. Veteran production designer Jack Fisk worked on the project. The choice to shoot on 35mm film rather than digital gives Marty Supreme a texture and authenticity that complements its 1950s setting.
The production incorporated both professional actors and real people to achieve authenticity. Cinematographer Khondji said the film featured around 140 non-actors, including French highwire artist Philippe Petit, demonstrating Safdie’s commitment to documentary-style realism even within this fictionalized narrative.
Oscar Buzz and Critical Reception
Following its premiere at the New York Film Festival, Marty Supreme has generated significant Academy Award speculation. Variety’s chief awards editor Clayton Davis writing in an analysis, “In a season where four films are tracking with 10 or more predicted nominations, A24’s ‘Marty Supreme’ has just landed — and it’s looking like the spoiler very few saw coming. Much like its protagonist, played by Timothée Chalamet — a young man with a dream no one respects, who goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness — the film could be the dark horse the Oscar race didn’t realize it needed”.
The film currently holds a 6.7 rating on IMDb based on early festival screenings, with audiences praising Chalamet’s transformative performance and Safdie’s distinctive directorial vision.
The Timothée Chalamet-Josh Safdie Connection
The collaboration between Timothée Chalamet and Josh Safdie represents a meeting of artistic minds that has been years in the making. Chalamet has long been an outspoken fan of the Safdie brothers, writing an essay for Variety in 2019 about their Adam Sandler thriller “Uncut Gems.” “The pair have continuously put out contemporary, raw and untethered work over the last decade, each film building on the traits of the prior”.
This mutual admiration laid the groundwork for a creative partnership that began in 2018 when Chalamet first accepted the role and started his extensive training regimen. The seven-year journey from initial concept to theatrical release demonstrates both parties’ commitment to getting every detail right.
What Makes Marty Supreme Different
Set in the world of 1950s ping pong culture, Marty Supreme follows its namesake Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, who goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness (cue: shady bags of money, explosions, gun fights and running from the cops). The film promises to blend sports drama with crime thriller elements, signature territory for Josh Safdie.
The second trailer, released in November, features Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and showcases gambling subplots, romantic entanglements, and the high-stakes world of competitive ping pong. This multi-layered approach elevates Marty Supreme beyond a simple sports biopic into something more complex and unpredictable.
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FAQs
When does Marty Supreme release in theaters?
Marty Supreme releases exclusively in theaters on December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day). A24 has confirmed this is a theatrical-only release with no immediate plans for streaming availability, allowing audiences to experience the film on the big screen as intended.
Is Marty Supreme based on a true story?
Marty Supreme is a fictionalized account loosely inspired by the life of Marty Reisman, a legendary American table tennis player who won five bronze medals at World Championships. While the film draws from Reisman’s autobiography “The Money Player,” the character and story have been significantly adapted for dramatic purposes.
How long did Timothée Chalamet train for Marty Supreme?
Timothée Chalamet trained in table tennis for approximately six to seven years, beginning in 2018 when he first accepted the role. He was coached by Diego Schaaf and former American Olympian Wei Wang to achieve professional-level skills for the authentic portrayal of championship ping pong sequences.
Who directed Marty Supreme?
Marty Supreme is directed by Josh Safdie, marking his first solo directorial effort since 2008’s “The Pleasure of Being Robbed” and his first film without his brother Benny Safdie since their acclaimed collaboration on “Uncut Gems” (2019). He co-wrote the screenplay with frequent collaborator Ronald Bronstein.
Is this Gwyneth Paltrow’s first film in years?
Yes, Marty Supreme marks Gwyneth Paltrow’s return to cinema since her appearance in “Avengers: Endgame” (2019). After a six-year absence from feature films, she plays Kay Stone, a famous movie star who becomes romantically involved with Timothée Chalamet’s character in the film.
