Timothée Chalamet skipped a stunt double for Marty Supreme's paddling scene

Initial plans involved a stunt double and a padded prop, but the fake paddle broke and was replaced with a wooden one.

Timothée Chalamet’s dedication to authenticity reached an unexpected extreme on the set of Marty Supreme, where the actor insisted on performing a physically demanding scene himself rather than using a stunt double.

In the upcoming A24 sports drama Marty Supreme, Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, an ambitious table tennis player willing to endure humiliation and hardship in pursuit of success.

One of the film’s most talked-about moments involves a paddling scene carried out by Kevin O’Leary’s character, businessman Milton Rockwell.

According to O’Leary, there was never any question in Chalamet’s mind about doing the scene himself. “That’s really Chalamet’s ass — he didn’t want the stunt double,” O’Leary said.

O’Leary recalled checking in with Chalamet before filming began, making sure he understood what the scene required. “I said, ‘Timmy, I’m going to have to belt your ass, are you sure you want to do this?’ And he said, ‘I don’t give a s---. Let’s do it,’” O’Leary shared.

The production had initially planned to use a stunt double and a padded prop, but plans changed when the fake paddle broke early on and was replaced with a real wooden one.

Despite the unexpected shift, Chalamet stayed committed. O’Leary said he tried to limit how hard he swung to avoid excessive bruising during multiple takes, but the physical reality of the scene was unavoidable. “He immortalised his ass on film,” O’Leary joked, noting that the paddle even left a visible imprint.

The scene has quickly become a point of discussion among fans, highlighting Chalamet’s willingness to fully embody his character, no matter how uncomfortable the moment.

His decision reflects a broader reputation for intense preparation and commitment, traits that have defined many of his recent performances.

Marty Supreme, which also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Tyler Okonma, Abel Ferrara, and Fran Drescher, debuted in theaters on Christmas Day. With moments like this already drawing attention, the film is shaping up to be one of Chalamet’s most talked-about roles yet.