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Timothée Chalamet's latest movie, Marty Supreme, draws inspiration from the fast-paced, underground world of table tennis in the '50s and real-life legend Marty Reisman.
Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie and written by Safdie and Ronald Bronstein, is set in New York City in the 1950s and centers on 23-year-old Marty Mauser (Chalamet) chasing his dream of becoming the greatest ping-pong player in the world. He has an unwavering confidence and belief in himself that toes the line between charming and arrogance, and not achieving his goals doesn't cross his mind as a possibility, despite the various hurdles he encounters.
It's a film that Chalamet has been hyping up throughout the inventive press tour -- and the movie lives up to expectations. Marty Supreme currently holds a 95% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, has been praised as one of the standout films of 2025 and has quickly emerged as an Oscar contender.
Here's what to know about the real-life inspiration behind Marty Supreme.
Is Timothée Chalamet's Marty Mauser Based On A Real Person?
Marty Supreme isn't a biopic, but the sports film is influenced by Reisman's life and table tennis career.
Reisman was born in Manhattan on February 1, 1930 and began playing ping-pong as a child. He told Forbes Life in 2005 that it was prompted by a nervous breakdown he experienced when he was 9.
"Ping-pong was the ultimate escape," he said. "My racket became a sensuous connection between the ball and my brain."
Reisman began making a splash in the table tennis world as a teenager when he became a junior champion. The athlete, who earned the nickname "The Needle" due to his slender physique and sharp wit, was known for his high-speed forehand shot. Reisman was also recognized for his signature red sneakers and fedoras.
During his career, Reisman won 22 national and international championships between 1946 and 2002, including the British Open. Outside of his competitive achievements, Reisman and fellow table tennis player Douglas Cartland toured with the Harlem Globetrotters and performed tricks, like using frying pans as paddles and playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Reisman recounted his life's twists and turns in his 1974 autobiography, The Money Player: The Confessions of America's Greatest Table Tennis Champion and Hustler. He died at 82 years old on December 7, 2012, due to heart and lung complications.
How Similar Are Marty Mauser And The Real Marty Reisman?
Safdie became interested in table tennis and its rich history as a kid, according to the official A24 press notes for Marty Supreme.
Safdie learned about Reisman through his wife, Sara Rossein, who found a copy of Reisman's memoir at a thrift store dollar bin. Reading the book reignited Safdie's interest in the sport and, along with more research, shaped the story of Marty Supreme.
"It had this kind of funky-looking guy on the cover," Safdie recalled during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published in October. "I showed it to Timmy because he and I were talking at the very beginning of all of this. I said to him, 'I want to do a movie in this world. Check out what this player looks like.'"
"He was my entry point into the world," Safdie said of Reisman.
Chalamet's character looks similar to Reisman, but he isn't a replica of the late great star. Still, there are plenty of commonalities, namely the desire to pursue their version of the American Dream and be the best table tennis player in the world.
Like Reisman, Marty Mauser is a Jewish American who grew up in New York City. Reisman aspired to be the greatest in the sport and traveled to compete and show off his skills, including in Bombay and Rome. In Marty Supreme, Marty also travels around the world to participate in tournaments. In a nod to Reisman, Marty reluctantly joins the Harlem Globetrotters as part of the halftime show.
In another reference to Reisman, Marty voices his contempt for his rival using a paddle of a different material (Reisman preferred the classic sandpaper paddles over the modern spongy ones).
Reisman was also known for being a hustler, and in the film, Marty and his friend Wally (played by Tyler, The Creator in his film debut) hustle unsuspecting amateur ping-pong players so Marty can earn enough money to pay off a fine.
Marty Supreme opens in theaters nationwide on Thursday.