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Kevin O’Leary, known for his role on the hit show ‘Shark Tank’, recently shared insights about a particularly intense scene in the Oscar-nominated film ‘Marty Supreme’. This scene features his character paddling Timothee Chalamet in a moment designed to humiliate the character portrayed by the rising star.
O’Leary revealed to Fox News Digital that the production commenced filming the scene at an early hour, around 3:45 AM. Originally, a stunt double was intended to endure the blows, leaving Chalamet out of the action.
“We had a stunt double,” O’Leary explained. “The idea was for the stunt double to take the beating. We had a fake paddle designed with a silicon hinge, but it broke on the very first hit. It simply didn’t look convincing at all.”
Unexpectedly, Chalamet shocked the crew by insisting, “Wait a second, it’s going to be my a–. I’m not going to let someone else immortalize their a– as my a–, I’ll do my a–!” According to O’Leary, he was taken aback but respected Chalamet’s determination. “I told him, ‘You realize we’re going to switch to a real paddle here. I’ll do my best to hold back.’”
Intensity on Set
When filming resumed, the director Josh Safdie recognized that the softer hits did not convey the needed realism. He insisted, “This is a crucial scene in the film. We need the real thing. Timmy, either allow the stunt double to step in, or you’re going to get your a– whacked.”
O’Leary remarked on the intensity of the scene, stating, “I laid into him, alternating the paddling so one cheek could recover while the other took the hit. It left a mark; I imprinted the brand of that paddle on his left cheek.”
During this challenging shoot, some crew members became so affected by the brutal nature of the scene that they needed to step away for a moment. O’Leary noted that by now it was already 4:30 AM, and the atmosphere was charged. “It was an insane experience. We were not strictly following the script, and it turned into a very significant scene for the film.”
Breaking Through the Pain
O’Leary emphasized how emotionally taxing the scene was for everyone involved. “Even some extras and crew members, including camera operators and lighting technicians, admitted afterward that watching it was genuinely hard. They had to pause and take breaks between the takes.”
He estimated that the crew needed around 30 to 40 takes to capture the scene successfully. O’Leary immediately sensed that Chalamet would be a strong contender for an Academy Award for his performance.
“When we shot in Tokyo,” O’Leary recounted, “I told Safdie on the third day, ‘Academy Award material right here.’ I was certain I would be right because I was working across from him, watching him bring out an incredible energy that was evident in every shot. You could see he was pushing boundaries, it was then I realized he was remarkable, and he would win an Oscar.”
The Magic of Film
O’Leary shared that ‘Marty Supreme’ was filmed using traditional 35 mm film, contrasting his past experience in television. “I’ve spent over two decades in TV,” he noted. “But there’s something magical about film that simply doesn’t translate to television.”
He described the chaos of being on set as a stark difference from his organized world of finance and investment. “The shift from a structured business environment to a film set filled with chaos was striking. It’s sheer chaos,” he said, elaborating on the spontaneous nature of creativity on a movie set. “Some of the best lines in that movie came on the 20th take. Mistakes often led to unexpected brilliance, and the editing genius of Safdie and his co-writer Ronald Bronstein brought everything together beautifully.”
What Lies Ahead for O’Leary and Chalamet
The demanding scene in ‘Marty Supreme’ has not only challenged Chalamet as an actor but has also revealed the level of commitment he is willing to make for his craft. As for O’Leary, his transition into film has opened his eyes to the unpredictability of the industry, bringing forth a new appreciation for the art of filmmaking.
Chalamet’s nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor has made waves in the entertainment industry, proving that not only does he have the talent, but he is also an actor willing to risk it all for his art. As both actors continue their careers, fans eagerly await what their next performances will bring to the screen.
