During the filming of Marty Supreme, Timothée Chalamet experienced a tense moment involving a bathtub scene that made him worry about his safety. The 30-year-old actor recounted to Robert Downey Jr. at a Los Angeles Q&A event on January 14 that he was uneasy about how close the lighting equipment was positioned above the water-filled bathtub where he had to perform.
Chalamet specifically questioned director Josh Safdie to ensure that the lighting rig was securely installed and posed no risk of falling into the tub. The scene required Chalamet’s character, Marty Mauser, to occupy a bathtub filled with water, intensifying concerns about potential electrical hazards.
Details of the Bathtub Scene and Chalamet’s Experience
In Marty Supreme, Chalamet’s character suffers a dramatic fall through a hotel room floor while in the bathtub, landing on another man (played by Abel Ferrara) and his dog. Chalamet described the scene and the director’s enthusiasm, highlighting the challenges involved with filming such close-to-the-edge moments.
He recalled,
“I remember reading that thinking, ‘Man, with any other project that might be the thing, what is this?’”
Chalamet also noted,
“I also think those are the things that excite [Safdie] the most in filming. And then I’m there naked with the appropriate … I don’t know. I only know the dirty way of saying it, the c–k sock. I don’t know how else to say it.”
Expressing his concern about the practicality and safety on set, Chalamet shared,
“Josh was so excitable that day and loving it. And we’re in the bathtub, it’s practical. There’s water. And I look up and there’s lights that are hanging off our rig basically. I pulled Josh aside. I was like, ‘Man, has this been properly done? It’s not going to collapse in the water? It’s not how I want to go out.’”
Chalamet appreciated the scene’s execution, responding,
“I appreciate it. I think Josh nailed that though,”
after Downey Jr. complimented the sequence during their conversation.
Award Recognition and Storyline of Marty Supreme
Marty Supreme centers on Marty Mauser, a young Jewish American aspiring table tennis champion in 1952 who struggles to raise enough money to travel to Japan for the world championships. Chalamet’s portrayal of this determined character has received considerable critical praise.
His performance earned him prestigious accolades, including Best Actor at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on January 4 and his first Golden Globe Award on January 11. This success cements Chalamet’s reputation as a leading talent in dramatic roles.
Upcoming Awards and Industry Competition
Chalamet is also nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at the 2026 Actor Awards on March 1, where he will compete against notable actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, and Jesse Plemons for Bugonia. Last year, Chalamet won the same category for his role as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
Marty Supreme remains in theaters nationwide, continuing to attract audiences impressed by Chalamet’s compelling and intense performance.
