Marty Supreme’s Wild Alternate Ending: Chalamet Nearly Bitten by Vampire
Director Josh Safdie shared that Marty Supreme almost ended with a shocking vampire twist involving Timothée Chalamet and Kevin O'Leary, revealing a supernatural side to the sports drama.
Josh Safdie recently opened up about a surprising direction that Marty Supreme almost took. According to Safdie, the film ’s original conclusion would have seen Timothée Chalamet’s character attacked by a vampire, played by none other than Kevin O’Leary. This unexpected twist would have added a supernatural layer to the already intense sports drama.
During a conversation with filmmaker Sean Baker on the A24 Podcast, Safdie explained,
You’re on his eyes, we built the prosthetic for Timmy and everything, and Mr. Wonderful shows up behind him and takes a bite out of his neck, and that was the last thing in the movie,
referencing the elaborate preparations made for the scene. The idea was to end the film with a shocking moment that would leave audiences reeling.
Hints of the Supernatural
Fans of Marty Supreme might remember a peculiar moment when Milton Rockwell, played by Kevin O’Leary, tells Marty Mauser, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet,
I was born in 1601. I'm a vampire. I've been around forever.
While this line could easily be dismissed as a metaphor for Milton’s unflappable nature and his warning to Marty, Safdie’s revelation suggests it was almost much more literal.
Despite the film’s lack of magical or fantastical elements, the unpredictable and sometimes absurd tone made the possibility of a real vampire twist not entirely out of place. The movie’s wild energy and relentless pace kept viewers guessing, and a supernatural ending would have fit right in with its offbeat style.
Behind the Scenes and Inspiration
Directed by Safdie and co-written with Ronald Bronstein, Marty Supreme draws inspiration from the life of legendary table tennis player Marty Reisman, who made his mark in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The film takes creative liberties, blending fact and fiction to craft a unique narrative that stands out in the sports drama genre.
Chalamet, who stars as Marty Mauser, has called this project his best work to date. The film’s blend of high-stakes competition, personal drama, and unexpected humor has resonated with audiences and critics alike. Marty Supreme is currently playing in theaters, offering viewers a fresh take on the classic underdog story.