On Monday, it was announced that rapper Tyler, the Creator was cast in Josh Safdie’s ping pong movie, “Marty Supreme.” Gwyneth Paltrow, who barely acts these days, also surprised many by joining the cast. Timothee Chalamet is the lead.
Variety is now reporting that Odessa A’zion (“Hellraiser”) magician Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller), investor and “Shark Tank” personality Kevin O’Leary (aka Mr. Wonderful) and director Abel Ferrara (“Bad Lieutenant”) have also been added in supporting roles. What exactly is Safdie concocting here? I’m intrigued.
“Marty Supreme,” produced by A24, will tell the wild story of former Ping Pong champion Marty Reisman. Reisman’s 1974 autobiography will be used as a template for the film. The screenplay was written by Safdie and Ronald Bronstein. Here’s the synopsis:
Reisman, who died in 2012, was a table tennis champion who started his career as a hustler in Manhattan, playing for bets and prize money. He won 22 major ping pong titles from 1946 to 2002 and won five bronze medals at the World Table Tennis Championships. At 67, he competed in the United States National Hardbat Championship and became the oldest player to win an open national competition in a racket sport.
This will be Safdie’s first film since his split with brother, and directing partner, Benny Safdie. Their films together included “Good Time,” and “Uncut Gems” (which Khondji also shot). Benny recently wrapped production on his own A24 sports biopic: “The Smashing Machine,” starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. Josh and Benny’s films are due out next year — will both premiere at Cannes?