Last month, we had our first look at Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme,” which recently started filming in New York City. Yes, that’s Timothee Chalamet in a role that is said to be, in part, influenced by former Ping Pong champion Marty Reisman.
The cast for “Marty Supreme” is bonkers. Joining Chalamet are Gwyneth Paltrow, Fran Drescher (“The Nanny”), Odessa A’zion (“Hellraiser”) magician Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller), “Shark Tank” personality Kevin O’Leary (aka Mr. Wonderful) and filmmaker Abel Ferrara (“Bad Lieutenant”).
Deadline is now reporting that Safdie’s film reportedly cost close to $90M to produce. It’s by far A24’s most expensive film to date, surpassing this year’s “Civil War” which cost around $50M to produce. There’s also a subtle hint in the piece that A24 has another film that’s close to being shot with a budget also exceeding Civil War’s.
Set in the 1950s, “Marty Supreme,” produced by A24, will tell the wild story of a Ping Pong champion. It is said to be a “fictional work,” but Reisman’s life is being used as a template here. The screenplay was written by Safdie and Ronald Bronstein.
Deadline goes on to state that “Marty Supreme” will not be a traditional biopic and is instead being envisioned as a “fast-paced, globetrotting adventure-comedy” in the vein of ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and ‘Catch Me If You Can.’
“Marty Supreme” is set to be Josh Safdie’s first film since his split with brother, and directing partner, Benny Safdie. Their films together include “Good Time,” and “Uncut Gems” (which ‘Marty Supreme’ DP Darius 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?
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