Timothée Chalamet’s Wild Encounter on Marty Supreme Set

Timothée Chalamet’s time on the set of Josh Safdie’s sports dramedy, Marty Supreme, took an unexpected turn when a background performer delivered a threat that left the actor genuinely unsettled. It wasn’t the usual drama from critics or studio heads—this time, the tension came from someone in the background.

Chatting with People, Chalamet shared how he tried to provoke a reaction from a non-professional actor during a motel scene. The Dune lead was keen to get a rise out of the bloke, but his efforts weren’t landing as planned.

And I’m really getting in the guy’s face, and I’m really trying to get him angry with me. I was saying to Josh [Safdie], he’s not getting angry with me, he’s not getting angry with me.

He went on to say,

I did another take, and then the guy said, ‘I was just in jail for 30 years. You really don’t want to f–k with me. You don’t want to see me angry’.

Chalamet wrapped up the story with a nervous laugh, turning to Safdie and asking, “Holy s–t, who do you have me opposite, man?” Despite the tense moment, these non-actors ended up being a crucial part of what made Marty Supreme stand out.

Unconventional Casting Choices

It wasn’t just the intimidating extra who made an impression. Director Josh Safdie was determined to bring Ted Williams—known as ‘The Man With the Golden Voice’—into the fold for a small part in the film.

Williams, once a radio announcer, had voiced plenty of ads before his life took a turn and he ended up homeless due to addiction. In 2011, a video of Williams showing off his voice on the street went viral, catching Safdie’s attention years later. The director insisted on casting Williams, even though it meant jumping through hoops with union rules and travel costs.

We need to get Ted Williams. We have to get him…[but] to bring somebody [from] out of state, with union rules and stuff like that—it’s very expensive. So that was the first time they were like, ‘Can we find someone local?’ And I said, ‘It has to be Ted Williams.’

With a mix of unique faces and Chalamet’s commitment, Marty Supreme has quickly become one of the most talked-about films of 2025, and some reckon it could finally land Chalamet an Oscar.

Chalamet’s Oscar Hopes

Chalamet first shot to international fame in 2017 with Call Me By Your Name, earning an Oscar nomination the following year but missing out on the win. Fast forward to 2025, and he was back in the awards conversation for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, though Adrien Brody took home the prize for The Brutalist.

This year, the competition is fierce, with Chalamet up against the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Dwayne Johnson (The Smashing Machine), and Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), among others. Still, there’s a real chance Chalamet could finally snag the Best Actor trophy for his work in Marty Supreme.

As the saying goes, third time’s a charm.

Key Details About Marty Supreme

Director: Josh Safdie
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion
Release Date: 25 December 2025
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Box Office: $89 million (and counting)
Production: Central Pictures
Where to Watch: In cinemas

Reckon Chalamet’s got what it takes to finally bring home the Oscar? Let us know what you think.