Timothée Chalamet Refused a Butt Double and Endured 40 Takes of Spanking for ‘Marty Supreme’

One scene in Timothée Chalamet’s latest movie, ‘Marty Supreme,’ is already grabbing attention.

In the film, Kevin O’Leary plays Milton Rockwell, a wealthy entrepreneur whose wife, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, becomes involved with Chalamet’s character, an aspiring ping-pong champion named Marty Mauser. Marty realizes Milton could help him reach the Tokyo championships, but it comes with an embarrassing price.

One of the movie’s most talked-about moments is a spanking scene. Chalamet reportedly refused to use a body double and insisted on doing the scene himself.

O’Leary told Variety, “There was a stunt a**. There was a double. [Chalamet] wouldn’t do it. He said he’ll do it himself. He didn’t want some other a** immortalized.”

This is his part. MARTY SUPREME is now playing in theaters nationwide. pic.twitter.com/CVFmzGj3t6

— A24 (@A24) December 30, 2025

The scene was even more intense than planned. The prop paddle meant to soften the blows broke on the first hit, forcing O’Leary to use a real one. Shooting lasted for hours, with director Josh Safdie calling for around 40 takes, stretching into the early morning. “Josh was saying, ‘You’ve got to wind up harder,’” O’Leary recalled. “I was really whacking him.”

O’Leary described the sequence as a crucial moment of humiliation for Marty, saying it fit the story because the character had repeatedly insulted him. “Even now, I’m still pissed,” he added.

Marty Supreme premiered on December 25 and had a strong opening, grossing $17.4 million at the box office. The film has been praised by critics, and Chalamet is already being discussed as a frontrunner for the best actor category in upcoming awards season.

It’s impressive that Chalamet committed to doing a physically demanding and awkward scene himself, and it shows the kind of dedication he brings to his roles.

The scene also adds a bold, memorable moment to the film that audiences are talking about. What do you think about Chalamet refusing a body double and going through hours of takes for the spanking scene? Share your thoughts in the comments.