Marty Supreme’s Scrapped Ending: Chalamet, Vampires, and a Shark Tank Twist
Director Josh Safdie has revealed that Marty Supreme nearly concluded with a surreal vampire bite scene involving Timothée Chalamet and Kevin O'Leary, hinting at a supernatural turn for the sports drama.
Josh Safdie has let slip that the now-infamous line, “I was born in 1601,” uttered in Marty Supreme, might have been more than a throwaway gag. During a chat with Sean Baker on the A24 Podcast, Safdie described an alternate finale that would have left audiences reeling.
“You’re on his eyes, we built the prosthetic for Timmy and everything, and Mr. Wonderful shows up behind him and takes a bite out of his neck, and that was the last thing in the movie,”
he explained, referencing Timothée Chalamet and Kevin O’Leary’s characters.
For those who’ve seen the film, there’s a moment when Milton Rockwell, played by O’Leary, leans in and tells Chalamet’s Marty Mauser,
“I was born in 1601. I’m a vampire. I’ve been around forever.”
On the surface, it’s the sort of line that might be chalked up to bravado or a metaphor for ruthless business longevity. The film, after all, is not known for dabbling in the supernatural—at least, not overtly. Yet, given the film’s unpredictable energy and penchant for the absurd, the idea of Milton actually being a centuries-old vampire doesn’t seem entirely out of place.
Behind the Scenes: A Bite of the Unusual
Safdie, who directed the film and co-wrote the script with Ronald Bronstein, revealed that the team had gone so far as to create prosthetics for Chalamet in preparation for the scene. The plan was for O’Leary’s character, known to many as “Mr. Wonderful” from his television persona, to appear behind Chalamet’s Marty and sink his teeth into his neck—an ending that would have upended expectations and sent the film into the realm of the bizarre.
It’s a testament to the film’s willingness to flirt with the outlandish, even if only in the planning stages. The notion of a sports drama veering into vampire territory, especially with such a straight-faced delivery, is the sort of risk that could have either delighted or baffled audiences. In the end, the filmmakers opted for a more grounded conclusion, but the mere existence of this alternate ending adds a layer of intrigue to the production’s history.
From Table Tennis Legend to Cinematic Oddity
Loosely inspired by the life of Marty Reisman, a table tennis star who made his name in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the film charts the rise and fall of its protagonist with a mix of intensity and dark humour. Chalamet, who has described his role as his “best performance” to date, brings a frenetic energy to the screen that matches the film’s unpredictable tone.
Audiences have responded enthusiastically to the film’s unique blend of sports drama and character study, with many noting its willingness to push boundaries. The revelation of the scrapped vampire ending only adds to the film’s mystique, offering a glimpse into the creative risks considered during its development.
What Could Have Been
Marty Supreme is currently showing in cinemas, drawing in viewers with its unconventional approach and standout performances. For those curious about what might have been, the story of the unused vampire bite scene serves as a reminder that even the most grounded films can flirt with the fantastical behind the scenes. As for what’s next, the list of upcoming films in 2025 and beyond promises more surprises for audiences willing to expect the unexpected.