Josh Safdie’s latest film appears to be packed with one of the most eclectic ensemble casts in recent memory.
From Oscar-winning actors to NBA legends, the casting choices blur the lines between Hollywood glamour and real-world celebrity in fascinating ways.
The story follows Marty, a ping pong enthusiast whose journey takes him through romantic entanglements, family drama, and unexpected encounters with gangsters and global basketball icons.
Here’s everything you need to know about the star-studded lineup bringing this unconventional story to life.
Hollywood Royalty Meets Ping Pong Passion
Kay Stone represents the film’s connection to old-school Hollywood elegance. As a legendary actor and socialite romantically involved with Marty, she’s portrayed by an actress whose résumé reads like a greatest hits collection of modern cinema.
The Oscar-winning performer has delivered unforgettable performances in Seven, Shakespeare in Love, and The Talented Mr. Ripley. Most audiences today recognize her as Pepper Potts from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where she’s appeared alongside Robert Downey Jr. across multiple blockbusters.
Her casting brings instant credibility and star power to Safdie’s unconventional sports drama.
Family Dynamics and Complicated Relationships
Rebecca, Marty’s mother, shares a fractured relationship with her son that appears central to the emotional core of the story. Playing this complex maternal figure is a two-time Emmy-nominated performer who became a household name in the 1990s.
Fran Drescher’s portrayal of Fran Fine in The Nanny made her one of television’s most recognizable faces. Her distinctive voice and comedic timing defined an era of sitcom television, making her casting as Marty’s troubled mother an intriguing dramatic turn.
The Other Woman
Rachel enters Marty’s life as a married woman engaged in an affair with him. This role goes to a relative newcomer who represents Safdie’s continued commitment to discovering fresh talent.
Following Julia Fox’s breakout performance in Uncut Gems, Safdie once again demonstrates his eye for casting little-known performers in pivotal roles. The actress previously portrayed influencer Tallulah on HBO’s I Love LA, but this represents her first major film opportunity.
When Musicians and Business Moguls Become Actors
Wally, a taxi driver who plays ping pong with Marty, is portrayed by a two-time Grammy-winning artist. This musician-turned-actor adds another layer to Safdie’s reputation for unconventional casting choices that prioritize authenticity over traditional acting experience.
Perhaps even more surprising is the casting of Milton Rockwell, Kay Stone’s wealthy husband who arranges an international match between Marty and his rival, Koto Endo. This role goes to Kevin O’Leary, best known as one of the sharp-tongued celebrity investors on Shark Tank.
O’Leary’s transition from boardroom reality television to dramatic filmmaking represents one of the film’s most eyebrow-raising choices.
The Gangster With Filmmaker Credentials
Ezra, a gangster Marty becomes entangled with after losing his dog, is played by a filmmaker whose work directly influenced Safdie’s artistic development. The director’s early 1990s films King of New York and Bad Lieutenant are considered landmark works of gritty independent cinema.
This casting choice creates a fascinating meta-textual element, with one of Safdie’s cinematic heroes now appearing in his film as a criminal figure.
Comedy Legends Join The Ensemble
Judy, a friend of Rebecca, is portrayed by a stand-up comedian who rose to fame in the 1970s. Her career trajectory took her from comedy clubs to Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy, then to playing Nancy on Roseanne throughout the 1990s.
Most recently, she appeared as nurse Cecily on Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed Severance, proving her continued relevance across generations of entertainment.
NBA Stars Take Center Court
Marty’s journey includes touring internationally with members of the legendary Harlem Globetrotters basketball team, performing ping pong tricks. Two former NBA stars join him on this adventure.
Kemba Walker, a four-time NBA All-Star who played for Charlotte, Boston, and New York, appears as one Globetrotters member. His playing style was characterized by explosive scoring and clutch performances throughout his professional career.
Joining him is Tracy McGrady, a seven-time All-Star and two-time scoring champion who dominated with Toronto and Houston before his 2017 Hall of Fame induction. McGrady’s inclusion brings legitimate basketball royalty to Safdie’s ping pong odyssey.
Unexpected Cameos From Across The Cultural Spectrum
Hoff, a farmer who encounters Marty during his travels, is played by Penn Jillette, the larger half of the magic duo Penn & Teller. His imposing presence and distinctive voice make him instantly recognizable.
Glenn, the stage director of Kay Stone’s theatrical production, is portrayed by David Mamet, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright behind Glengarry Glen Ross and Speed-the-Plow. Mamet also wrote screenplays for The Untouchables and Wag the Dog, and directed films including Homicide and Heist.
Real Business Tycoons Enter Fiction
Christopher, father of Dion and Marty’s associate, represents potential financing for Marty’s new orange ping pong ball venture. This role goes to John Catsimatidis, the actual billionaire businessman who owns Gristedes and D’Agostino Supermarkets.
Casting a real mogul to play a fictional one adds another dimension to Safdie’s blending of reality and performance.
The Table Tennis Club’s Unlikely Staff
Lawrence owns the table tennis club Marty frequents regularly. George Gervin, NBA legend nicknamed “The Iceman,” brings his San Antonio Spurs championship pedigree to this role. In 2021, Gervin was named one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history.
Working alongside Lawrence is Ted, portrayed by Ted Williams, known as “The Man with the Golden Voice.” Williams became a viral sensation in 2011 when a YouTube video captured his remarkable vocal talents while he was experiencing homelessness, leading to numerous opportunities.
From White Lotus To World Trade Center
A stage actor working with Kay Stone’s theatrical production is played by someone audiences recently saw in two high-profile projects. He portrayed Quinn in season one of The White Lotus and the Roman emperor Caracalla in Gladiator II.
Meanwhile, the master of ceremonies during Marty’s overseas Globetrotters performances is Philippe Petit, the renowned high-wire artist. Petit achieved worldwide fame in 1974 by walking on a wire strung between the World Trade Center Twin Towers, an extraordinary feat chronicled in the Oscar-winning 2008 documentary Man on Wire.
Safdie’s ensemble represents a radical democratization of casting, treating athletes, businesspeople, magicians, and artists as equally valid choices alongside trained actors. This approach reflects his ongoing commitment to authenticity over convention, creating a cinematic universe where anyone with compelling screen presence can contribute to storytelling.