Kevin O’Leary also revealed that a fake, softer paddle broke, meaning a real one was used.
Film fans have already been wowed by Timothée Chalamet's performance in Marty Supreme, but it has now been revealed just how dedicated he was to getting the film right and making sure it was authentic.
Speaking with Variety, Chalamet's co-star Kevin O’Leary has revealed that a key scene in the film, in which his character Milton Rockwell spanks Marty with a ping pong paddle, was filmed 40 times, and Chalamet refused to be replaced by a double.
"When it came time to whack him, there was a stunt ass. There was a double," O’Leary told the publication. "[Chalamet] wouldn’t do it. He said he’ll do it himself. He didn’t want some other ass immortalised."
O'Leary also explained that while he was originally supposed to use a fake, softer paddle, the prop broke almost immediately, meaning he had to use a real one for the remaining takes.
The actor said that the scene was filmed until 4am, with the repeated takes going on "for hours" until director Josh Safdie (Uncut Gems) got what he wanted from the scene.
O'Leary explained: "Josh was saying, 'You’ve got to wind up harder.' I was really whacking him."
Marty Supreme, which has received glowing reviews and is expected to be multi-award nominated heading into the 2026 awards season, also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Abel Ferrara and Tyler Okonma.
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It is very loosely based on the life of champion ping-pong player Marty Reisman, with the synopsis for the film saying: "Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness."
As well as a critical success, the film has also started out well at the box office, having the biggest opening for any A24 film behind only Alex Garland’s Civil War.
Marty Supreme is in UK cinemas now.
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James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
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