A24 has released the first trailer for Marty Supreme, which sees Josh Safdie’s long-awaited solo directorial comeback. The offbeat sports drama features Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet as Marty Mauser, a plucky 1950s ping pong enthusiast pursuing an aspiration few give much credence to. The film will open on December 25.
A Passion-Driven Story Inspired by a Ping Pong Legend
Loosely inspired by the life of table tennis icon Marty Reisman, Marty Supreme chronicles Mauser’s quest for recognition in a sport that struggles for mainstream respect in America. In the trailer, Chalamet’s character tells Kevin O’Leary, “This game fills stadiums overseas… It’s only a matter of time before I’m on a Wheaties box.”
The movie also explores Marty’s love life, with Gwyneth Paltrow being a Hollywood starlet and Odessa A’zion being another romance interest. His mom is played by Fran Drescher, giving the movie an eccentric vibe.
An Ensemble Cast With Surprising Names
Aside from Chalamet and Paltrow, the cast includes musician Tyler, the Creator, magician Penn Jillette, and director Abel Ferrara. Safdie, who is best known for co-directing Uncut Gems (2019) with brother Benny, collaborated on the screenplay with long-time partner Ronald Bronstein. Marty Supreme is his solo effort since The Pleasure of Being Robbed (2008).
As reported by cinematographer Darius Khondji, Chalamet even received intense ping pong training to get into the part fully. “He wanted to be like an actual professional ping pong player,” Khondji explained to Variety, adding that the training lent authenticity to the sporting scenes in the film.
A24’s Star-Studded Holiday Slate
Marty Supreme tops A24’s fall slate with Dwayne Johnson’s The Smashing Machine (October 3), Rose Byrne’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (October 10), and Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest (August 15).
The movie crosses sports drama with ambition, self-confidence, and personal sacrifice, and promises an unconventional interpretation of the underdog sports story. Not a traditional biopic, yet drawing inspiration from Marty Reisman’s larger-than-life personality brings a layer of historical interest.
A combination of real-world inspiration, offbeat character trajectories, and Safdie’s own gritty style, Marty Supreme appears ready to provide one of the year’s most original sports dramas.
