Interview with Timothée Chalamet: "I'm not just for good, safe roles"

The star went through many scenes in the movie "Marty Supreme".Talk about table tennis, New York and the desire to take risks.

Timothy, what drew you to this film in particular?

Timothée Chalamet: Honestly, Josh. Every young actor in LA or New York wants to work with Josh Safdie right now - I'm no exception.I know exactly how many meetings he has done in the last three or four years because he told me about them.And that speaks for itself: Gwyneth Paltrow hasn't done a movie in six years — and she's back for it.Actually says it all.It's an incredible move for him to come out of retirement for this film - it gives it a special depth.

It seems this was not an overnight project.

Chalamet: Nothing. Josh and I have been talking about this on and off for six or seven years. Sometimes ideas just need that time until you feel: now is the right time.

Have you ever worked in this kind of film?Safi's films often make you a little uncomfortable.

HALAMET: No - it's not natural.I've shot in New York a few times, but never in this part of the city, in this building, in this harsh reality.The first time I walked into Josh's office, I felt like I was entering a personal world.To be honest, I find that I still dare to go where it hurts - I haven't given up.I'm not exactly the kind of good, secure job.

So jump out of your comfort zone?

Chalamet: In general.It's a real test of confidence.You give up control and give yourself permission to lead – even physically.Even small things become part of it: for example, the glasses I wear in the film.

Your glasses and looks play an important role in the film.How far did you go for this?

Chalermet: Not at all.Josh wants my eyes to appear "faster" in small movies.It's almost uncomfortable.To do so, he wore contact lenses with 4 to 6 miniature lenses to deliberately worsen his vision.To make up for it, real glasses were added (laughs).You did a great job designing this look.At first I didn't know how to deal with it and was completely dizzy.I didn't want to be the person who said it wasn't possible.So I continued using it until I developed an eye infection.After that we found our rhythm.It was also a time to find out how far I was willing to go and what my limits were.

Have you ever had days when you thought: Nothing is going to work today?

CHALAMET: Yeah, sure. And that's part of it.This film does not allow light, only persistence.You will learn that you don't have to be perfect.

Has there ever been a moment when you realized: Have I really let go of control?

Chalamet: Yes - all the time.Josh works the way he plays, not by playing anymore.There was a time when I didn't know what decade we were in or who I was personally.It was terrifying, but it was also incredibly liberating.That's where the real stuff happens.That's what I was looking for.I didn't want to feel like I was repeating myself. Instead, I wanted to surprise myself.If I don't recognize myself right away, I'm on the right track.

How much of what we see in the film is actual performance and how much is CGI, ie computer animated imagery.

CHALAMET: The level of surprise is real.At least 60, maybe 80 percent.To me, it felt like a choreographed dance.I trained for years with table tennis coaches who coached big Hollywood productions.The hardest part was almost playing with the ball, but the situations without the ball - you have to think about everything and react perfectly.

So any trick?

Chelam: Not at all.Almost everyone I sat at the table with was either a true professional or a very good player.Josh needs that basic honesty.You can feel it: you can't hide.is

Are you still playing table tennis today?

CHALAMET: Yes, absolutely.A few weeks ago, after shooting Dune in Abu Dhabi, I was playing with a hotel caretaker.He was extraordinarily kind and I immediately found myself there.Ambitious, loud, completely in the groove.I even have videos of it on my phone and thought: it's better if they never arrive.But it shows that he stayed with me.This movie awakened something in me.

He doesn't look like a typical movie star.What?was that part of the idea?

CHALAMET: Indeed.Josh doesn't like a hero who shines.He loved someone he almost ruined.I love that feeling of being innocent - even after all these years.It keeps you awake.As soon as you feel confident enough, it becomes aggressive.

They don't seem smart or controlling here.Was it liberating?

CHALAMET: Yes, everything.It's liberating not to please.Not handsome, not charming, not confident.It's just raw.And that is exactly where there is an honesty that rarely allows us to show the opposite.

What did this film give you personally?

CHALAMET: Vertrauen. In Instinkt, in Chaos – und in Menschen, die an dich glauben. Das ist am Ende viel wertvoller als Kontrolle.

New York almost plays its part in the film.What does the city mean to you?

Chalamet: New York is honest.The city sees you - and doesn't judge.It reflects you back to who you are now.It was perfect for this movie because nothing was sugarcoated.I love this city - I wouldn't be the same person without New York.For me, the city is the most beautiful place in the world.

Are you afraid of losing yourself as things grow?

Chalamet: Yes.That's why I consciously look for projects that make me nervous.As soon as I feel overconfident, I know: it's time to take a risk again.

You always speak with great respect about the actors who came before you.Are there any actors from the 70s or 80s that you think would be perfect for this movie?

Chalamet: Absolutely, Al Pacino.He had that special quality in his early films - something larger than life, but still completely real.This mixture of power and vulnerability.Especially in his early roles, there was something unpredictable, almost dangerous about him - and at the same time incredibly human.This energy suits me perfectly for this world.

How has Josh Safdie's outlook helped you as an actor?

CHALAMET: With Josh, personality and real life are a complete blur - one blends into the other.That's interesting.He made it clear: Whatever interested me in fashion or advertising campaigns he was not interested in.He wanted something else: the guy he met when I was 22.Knicks fans.And also the things he saw about me on YouTube when I was 13 years old.Things left unfinished, unprotected.It was incredibly liberating – and also enlightening.It's almost like putting your soul through a sieve and all the excess will fall out.

Does success mean anything different to you now than it did a few years ago?

CHALAMET: Yes.For me, success today means staying curious.Don't keep quiet, no matter the noise outside.

In an age where many things are becoming faster, more technological, and more predictable, what gives you confidence in your work?

Chalamet: This film gave me confidence again - especially at a time when artificial intelligence and control are everything. Not to please anyone, but because you realize that when the right people come together and are ready, something real is created. Josh thinks in a very "metaphysical" way, not so much about psychology and more about the characters - which helped me a lot. If everyone takes responsibilityhe is serious, he is on time, and he is ready, something will happen that you cannot predict. That is exactly what I believe.

Timothée Chalamet, born on December 27, 1995 in New York City is a French journalist and American real estate agent, now one of the most famous actors of his time.His breakthrough came in 2017 with the film Call Me by Your Name, which became the last actor since 1940 to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor.He established himself as a Hollywood star, starring in blockbusters such as Dune, Dune: Part Two and Wonka.In his current film, Marty Supreme, Chalamet shines as an underdog who wants to become a world champion in table tennis.And he is not afraid of anything.For that role, he won his first Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor.Chalamet is in a relationship with reality TV star and entrepreneur Kylie Jenner.

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