Timothée Chalamet is not an actor who does things halfway. For his latest film, Marty Supreme, he did not just learn table tennis. He lived it. What began as a script sent his way in 2018 turned into nearly seven years of on-and-off training, shaping both his performance and his mindset.
“In all my downtime, I would train as much as possible,” Chalamet says, speaking with the calm confidence of someone who truly enjoyed the grind. The commitment paid off. His portrayal of Marty Mauser, a semi-fictionalised version of post-war table tennis legend Marty Reisman, has already earned him best actor nominations at major awards shows, with Oscar buzz building steadily.
For Chalamet, preparation is a responsibility, not a choice. Much like the five years he spent learning guitar for his Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, mastering table tennis was about authenticity. “If you are a ping pong aficionado, it has to look believable to you on screen,” he explains. Anything less would feel dishonest.
That dedication followed him everywhere. He travelled with a table tennis table while filming Dune in the desert and played between takes on Wonka. Even at the Cannes Film Festival, Chalamet found time to practise, training with friends at a cliffside Airbnb overlooking the French Riviera. It is a memory he recalls with visible fondness.
“I get to live this awesome life where I work on projects that are near and dear to my heart,” he reflects. “There are worse things in life than having to learn guitar or table tennis at a high level.”
Marty Supreme tells the story of ambition, obsession, and youthful foolishness. Chalamet’s character is talented but flawed, driven by ego and poor decisions, including questionable moral choices that threaten his career and personal relationships. Yet Chalamet sees the character with empathy.
“When you are in your early twenties, you are an idiot,” he laughs. “This movie is largely about being an idiot in your early twenties, especially when you are singularly obsessed with one thing.”
That theme resonates as Chalamet approaches a milestone of his own. He turns 30 on 27 December, just one day after Marty Supreme opens in cinemas. Looking back on his twenties, a decade that included two Oscar nominations, he describes the experience as surreal.
“I feel like I am living in a dream,” he says. “I am on top of a hotel in London talking about a film I am deeply passionate about.”
That dreamlike confidence was on full display earlier this year when Chalamet declared, during an awards acceptance speech, that he is “really in pursuit of greatness.” The comment drew attention for its boldness, but Chalamet stands by it. He openly admires figures like Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, Viola Davis, Michael Jordan, and Michael Phelps, people who, in his eyes, redefined excellence in their fields.
Yet behind the ambition is vulnerability. “My confidence ebbs and flows,” he admits. “If things are going well, you feel great. If not, the world is falling apart.” Approaching 30, he says, has brought a desire to be more grounded and kinder to himself and others who are still figuring things out.
One thing Chalamet remains unwavering about is his love for cinema. At a time when streaming platforms dominate the industry, Marty Supreme has been made for a full theatrical release. Chalamet believes that matters.
“I do think cinemas will survive and thrive,” he says. “But it is our responsibility to bring films to people, not ask people to chase tradition.”
To that end, he has embraced an unconventional promotional tour. From fake leaked Zoom calls to colour-coordinated premiere outfits with girlfriend Kylie Jenner and even his mother, Chalamet has leaned into creativity. He has also been gifting Marty Supreme jackets to people he considers true greats, including Frank Ocean, Tom Brady, and young football star Lamine Yamal.
When asked which Brit deserves one, his answer surprises. After a pause, he says simply, “Susan Boyle.”
The actor recalls being deeply moved by Boyle’s 2009 Britain’s Got Talent audition. “She dreamt bigger than all of us,” he says. “Who was not moved by that?”
As Timothée Chalamet prepares to leave his twenties behind, it is clear he is still dreaming, just with sharper focus, deeper intention, and the same relentless dedication that took him from indie darling to global star.
Marty Supreme is released in cinemas on Boxing Day.
