Timothée Chalamet didn’t just learn table tennis for his latest role in A24’s Marty Supreme.
He trained for years in secret, mastering techniques from the 1950s while juggling blockbuster films and award campaigns.
Now, his table tennis instructor Diego Schaaf is revealing just how demanding that preparation really was—and why Chalamet’s dancer background became his secret weapon.
In the Josh Safdie-directed film about a ping-pong hustler chasing glory, Chalamet performs all his own table tennis sequences without stunt doubles—a decision that nearly cost him much more than just time.
Years of Secret Training Before Cameras Rolled
Chalamet’s preparation began long before official rehearsals started. He secretly trained during production on The French Dispatch, Wonka, and Dune: Part Two.
When Schaaf—who previously worked on Forrest Gump and Balls of Fury—finally met Chalamet for Marty Supreme rehearsals, the actor’s skill level immediately stood out.
He was singularly dedicated to getting this to be the same quality as the rest of the movie.
That dedication intensified last summer when serious training kicked into high gear. Schaaf, alongside his wife Wei Wang—a U.S. Olympian—worked with Chalamet to reach world-class mechanics.
But there was a twist: everything had to reflect 1950s table tennis, which differs dramatically from modern technique.
Why Playing Like a 1950s Champion Required Unlearning Modern Technique
Period accuracy wasn’t just about costumes and set design. Table tennis has evolved significantly over seven decades.
We had to bring the mechanics of the strokes to a world-class level from the 1950s, which is distinctly different from how the sport is played today.
Chalamet’s dance background became invaluable during this process. Movement patterns that dancers train for years translated directly to table tennis footwork and body positioning.
Timothée being a dancer, he understood immediately how he needed to move. But we had to make that work within the context of relatively fast play.
Wang focused specifically on period-accurate strokes with Chalamet. Different playing styles require vastly different mechanics, and Chalamet absorbed every nuance.
His perfectionism showed up repeatedly during training sessions.
He wasn’t interested in doing the minimum. Even when he got it right, he’d say, ‘Let’s do it again.’
No Stunt Doubles: Why Chalamet Performed Every Shot Himself
Early production discussions included finding body doubles for complex sequences. That plan quickly fell apart.
We considered finding a double, but it was hard to find someone who matched his physique and could play. From the beginning, I told Josh we needed the best possible players, because they can perform under pressure.
Olympic-level players typically start training between ages 4 and 8, Schaaf explains. Chalamet started decades later, creating inherent limitations.
However, his understanding of shot difficulty became crucial for choreography. He knew exactly how a successful trick shot should look—even when he couldn’t physically make it every time.
Some difficult trick shots required post-production fixes, but Chalamet’s comprehension made those edits seamless.
The Athletic Demands Behind Every Choreographed Point
Casual table tennis involves minimal movement. Professional play demands explosive athleticism.
In recreational table tennis, you barely move. This was very athletically demanding. He memorized every point, every movement, every shot.
Timing presented another layer of complexity. Different shots travel at wildly different speeds:
- Floating shots require patient positioning and delayed reactions
- Fast drives demand split-second reflexes and explosive movements
- Spin variations completely change ball trajectory and bounce patterns
Chalamet grasped these distinctions immediately, according to Schaaf.
Timing was critical—some shots float, others travel fast—and he understood that immediately. He performed unbelievably well.
Tyler, the Creator’s Table Tennis Journey From Zero Experience
Tyler, the Creator also appears in Marty Supreme, bringing a completely different skill level to his role.
He trained with Schaaf and Wang at Westside Table Tennis Center in Los Angeles, despite never having played before.
It’s rare to find someone who’s literally never hit a ball. He loved it. One time he came straight from the airport, ran into the club and said, ‘I’m going to buy myself a table!’
Tyler’s character in the bowling alley scene intentionally plays at a much lower level than Chalamet’s Marty. Still, his natural athleticism showed through quickly.
After just one or two sessions, Tyler could return 10-12 balls consecutively—no small feat for beginners.
He was an absolute sweetheart—smiling the whole time.
Capturing 1950s New York Ping-Pong Culture
Both Safdie and Chalamet grew up in New York, making authentic representation of Lower East Side table tennis culture essential.
Schaaf doesn’t play regularly in New York but has extensive experience with players from that scene.
I don’t play in New York, but I’ve met a lot of New York players. It felt very accurate. There’s more gambling, more of an underground vibe. When New York players come out West, it’s a different kind of energy.
Despite table tennis providing the film’s framework, Marty Supreme maintains the anxiety-fueled intensity Safdie established with Good Time and Uncut Gems.
This marks Safdie’s first solo feature without his brother Benny.
The Risks: Eye Infections and Near-Misses
Chalamet’s commitment came with genuine physical risks. Safdie revealed at the film’s New York premiere that Chalamet “almost lost an eye” during filming.
Chalamet wore contacts specifically to blur his vision so he could wear real glasses for Marty’s signature look. This led to a serious eye infection.
That same all-in approach extended to the wildest press campaign of Chalamet’s career, including:
- An orange blimp floating over cities
- First-ever appearance atop Las Vegas Sphere, lit up like an orange ping-pong ball
- Exclusive Marty Supreme jackets with fans waiting 24 hours in line
- Empire State Building lit orange
- Crashing actual table tennis tournaments in New York
Schaaf’s Surprise Cameo as Tournament Umpire
Schaaf appears in the film as umpire during Marty’s final match—a last-minute addition he never expected.
The night before, I get a text asking if I want to do it. I figured I’d be there anyway. I had no idea that was going to happen.
Watching the finished film, Schaaf found himself completely absorbed by the storytelling.
I watched the movie and almost forgot there was table tennis in it. It was so enthralling. Then the first tournament scene comes up and I thought, ‘Oh right—here we go.’ Josh did a great job cutting it so you really feel the tension.
Hoping for Table Tennis’s Mainstream Breakthrough
Schaaf sees Marty Supreme as potentially transformative for table tennis visibility in mainstream culture.
I really hope this gives the sport the breakthrough it’s deserved. People don’t realize how many levels there are. You think you’re close to the top, and there are 30 levels in between. The better you get, the more you realize how little you know.
Table tennis requires a specific mentality—one that mirrors Marty’s character perfectly.
It takes a specific person—like Marty. Someone who says, ‘No matter how hard this is, I’m going to do this.’ Hopefully we’ll get more of those.
Chalamet’s dedication mirrors that exact mindset. From secretly training during other film productions to risking eye injuries for authenticity, he embodied Marty’s “Dream Big” philosophy both on and off screen.
Whether this earns him his third Oscar nomination remains to be seen. What’s certain: Chalamet transformed himself into a legitimate table tennis player through sheer determination—exactly what competitive athletes do.