Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet has disclosed the extraordinary lengths he went to for his latest role, undergoing a seven-year training process in table tennis. The actor, 29, is set to portray the legendary ping pong champion Marty Reisman in the upcoming biographical film Marty Supreme.
A Decade-Long Dedication to the Sport
Speaking on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the two-time Oscar nominee explained that his journey to mastering the sport began in 2018 after an initial meeting with director Josh Safdie. Chalamet clarified that the training was intensive but sporadic, spanning nearly seven years. He highlighted that the process intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that "ping pong is a great thing" to practice during lockdowns.
The A Complete Unknown star previously told the BBC he would "train as much as possible" during breaks on other film sets. His commitment was unwavering:
- He brought a table to the desert while filming Dune.
- He practiced between takes on the set of Wonka.
- He even had a table at a Cannes Film Festival rental in 2021, training against a stunning sunset backdrop.
Authenticity for the Aficionados
Chalamet drew parallels between this project and his role as Bob Dylan, emphasising the responsibility he feels towards fans. "If you're a ping-pong aficionado, that that looks believable to you," he stated. The actor expressed profound gratitude for his career, viewing the demanding training as a privilege: "There's worse things in life than having to learn how to play the guitar and play table tennis at a high level."
Premiere and Personal Life
Gushing about the project to Fallon, Chalamet urged audiences to see the film, which he described as "the one." He framed Marty Supreme as a story about "sacrifice in pursuit of a dream" and an "attempted antidote" to bleak times, encouraging viewers to "continue to dream big." The film is scheduled to premiere in the UK on 26 December.
Off-screen, Chalamet and girlfriend Kylie Jenner recently quashed split rumours with a display of affection at the Los Angeles premiere last week. Jenner, 28, wore a striking orange Chrome Hearts dress, while Chalamet complemented her in a matching orange leather suit from the same brand, complete with a custom ping pong paddle crossbody holder.
