Director’s Authority Shocks Kevin O’Leary on Marty Supreme Set

Josh Safdie’s latest film, Marty Supreme, has not only catapulted Timothée Chalamet into the spotlight but also introduced Kevin O’Leary to the unpredictable world of acting. Known for his commanding presence on Shark Tank, O’Leary took on the role of Milton Rockwell in the high-stakes ping pong drama. For O’Leary, the experience was a wake-up call about the strict hierarchy that governs film production.

Learning the Hard Way: O’Leary’s On-Set Reality Check

O’Leary, who’s used to being the boss, quickly realized that the director ’s word is law on set. He admitted,

I learned my lesson that film sets are not democracies. I’m not used to being told what to do. I do the telling.

For someone who’s spent decades in charge, the adjustment was jarring. The film’s impressive 94% Tomatometer score and $56 million domestic box office haul show that the director’s approach paid off, but it didn’t make the process any easier for O’Leary.

Working with Safdie meant embracing a relentless pursuit of perfection. O’Leary recalled shooting the same scene more than 20 times, convinced they had nailed it, only to be reminded by Safdie who was really in charge.

We shot something 20 times and I said to Josh, ‘OK, I think we got it. We can move on.’ He said, ‘What the f*ck are you talking about? There’s no moving on until I say we’re moving on.

The experience drove home the point that, on a movie set, the director’s vision always comes first.

Behind the Scenes: Chalamet’s Commitment and a Memorable Scene

O’Leary’s time on set wasn’t just about learning to follow orders. He also found himself at the center of one of the film’s most talked-about moments—a scene where his character humiliates Chalamet’s Marty Supreme. The moment required O’Leary to spank Chalamet’s character, and when the prop paddle broke, he had to use a real one. Chalamet, ever the professional, refused a stunt double, insisting on doing the scene himself.

When it came time to whack him, there was a stunt a**. There was a double,” [Chalamet] wouldn’t do it. He said he’ll do it himself. He didn’t want some other ass immortalized. Josh was saying, ‘You’ve got to wind up harder’. I was really whacking him.

Chalamet’s dedication to authenticity has paid off. His performance has already earned him a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor, and the film’s box office numbers continue to climb. With an Oscar campaign on the horizon, Marty Supreme is poised to become A24’s biggest domestic hit yet.

Film Sets: Where Hierarchy Rules

O’Leary’s experience highlights the unique power dynamics at play in filmmaking. While collaboration is key, the director’s authority is absolute. For someone used to calling the shots, adapting to this environment can be a challenge. But as Marty Supreme’s success shows, sometimes letting go of control leads to something extraordinary.

Marty Supreme is now showing in theaters across the U.S.