Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet endured a physically demanding and lengthy filming process for a pivotal scene in his latest movie, Marty Supreme, according to his co-star. The actor reportedly refused to use a body double for an intense spanking sequence that took hours and dozens of takes to complete.
Chalamet's Commitment to the Role
In a revealing new interview with Variety, businessman and actor Kevin O'Leary, who plays a wealthy husband in the film, detailed the arduous shoot for a standout scene. O'Leary's character demands submission from Chalamet's Marty Mauser, ordering him to pull down his trousers to be spanked. O'Leary confirmed that Chalamet, 30, turned down the offer of a stunt double, insisting on performing the scene himself.
"When it came time to whack him, there was a stunt ass," O'Leary explained. "There was a double. [Chalamet] wouldn't do it. He said he'll do it himself. He didn't want some other ass immortalised." This dedication to authenticity extended to the props, as a fake paddle broke almost immediately, forcing the crew to use a real one for the remainder of the shoot.
A Gruelling Filming Session
The filming of this single scene was a protracted affair. O'Leary estimated that director Josh Safdie shot more than 40 different takes, with the process stretching on for hours. The actor recalled Safdie's direction, stating, "Josh was saying, 'You've got to wind up harder.' I was really whacking him." This level of detail underscores the intense, powder-keg atmosphere that critic Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent noted fuels the entire film.
Critical and Commercial Success
The commitment appears to have paid off. Marty Supreme, in which Chalamet plays a 1950s New Yorker convinced he is destined to be a table tennis champion, has proven to be a hit. The film grossed an impressive $27 million over the four-day Christmas weekend in the US, buoyed by strong reviews. Chalamet, whose eccentric press tour has included rap videos and viral stunts, has stated this is the movie he's been "most proud of" in his career so far.
The actor, known for Dune and Little Women, is now widely tipped to receive an Oscar nomination for his performance. The film also stars Gwyneth Paltrow as a faded movie star. The combination of critical acclaim, box office success, and Chalamet's all-in commitment suggests Marty Supreme could be a major awards season contender.
