Timothée Chalamet's Marty Supreme: A Fictional Journey Inspired by a Real Table Tennis Legend

Timothée Chalamet takes center stage in the upcoming film Marty Supreme, which chronicles the aspirations of a professional ping-pong player. The narrative raises an intriguing question: is it rooted in reality?

Chalamet portrays Marty Mauser, a determined table tennis player from the 1950s. The film features a notable cast, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Fran Drescher, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, Abel Ferrara, and Tyler, the Creator.

While Marty Mauser is a fictional character, he draws inspiration from the real-life table tennis icon, Marty Reisman. The film does not serve as a strict biopic of Reisman’s life; rather, it offers a creative interpretation of his legacy. Josh Safdie, the director and writer behind this A24 production, shared insights into his motivation for the film, highlighting Reisman’s ambition to elevate ping-pong’s status in the sports world.

“My goal was to make it as large as I possibly could,” Safdie remarked in an October 2025 interview. “I wanted to honor Marty Mauser’s dream to make it the greatest sport in the world. I like imagining an alternative path of history where the sport did become as big as tennis — and I had to act that way because I was making it from Marty’s point of view.”

Marty Supreme is set to premiere on Christmas Day, inviting audiences to explore its unique plot.

The film follows Marty Mauser’s quest to become a professional table tennis player. Faced with skepticism from those around him, he embarks on a mission to transform ping-pong into a respected sport during the 1950s.

Although Marty Supreme incorporates historical elements, it is not a biographical account. The storyline loosely reflects Reisman’s ascent as one of the sport’s greatest players, which explains the shared first name between Chalamet’s character and Reisman. Safdie has previously described the film as an “homage” to Reisman rather than a straightforward biopic.

Before achieving fame in table tennis, Reisman began his career hustling for money through bets. At just 15 years old, he wagered $500 on himself during a national tournament in Detroit, mistakenly believing he was betting against a bookie. This individual turned out to be the head of the United States Table Tennis Association.

This pivotal moment prompted Reisman to shift his approach and compete legitimately. He won his first bronze medal at the 1948 World Table Tennis Championships and followed up with three medals at the 1949 championships.

In 1997, Reisman made headlines by becoming the oldest player to win an open national competition in racket sports when he clinched victory at the United States National Hardbat Championship at age 67.

Throughout his career, Reisman secured 22 table tennis titles before retiring in 2002. He later served as president of Table Tennis Nation until his passing in December 2012 at the age of 82.