A24 is reportedly so confident in Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme that the studio may give the film an early fall festival premiere more than two months before its scheduled theatrical release.
The Timothée Chalamet–led period piece recently held a test screening, and sources say it departs from the Safdies’ usual, anxiety-driven style — it’s neither Good Time nor Uncut Gems. Insiders describe it as an altogether different beast, stylistically and tonally.
What’s confirmed or strongly reported:
– Cast includes Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Fran Drescher, Tyler, the Creator, Abel Ferrara, Penn Jillette, Kevin O’Leary and Sandra Bernhard.
– The story, set in 1953, follows a ping-pong champion; it’s presented as a fictional work that used Marty Reisman as a template.
– Josh Safdie co-wrote the screenplay with Ronald Bronstein.
– The film’s director of photography, Darius Khondji, has said the movie features over 140 characters and is “unlike anything at the moment.”
– Production was reported last year to have cost close to $90 million.
– The film is locked for a Christmas Day theatrical release.
A24 appears to be weighing an early festival bow — not at TIFF or Venice, according to one clue — with a world premiere location being kept under wraps. If the early word from festivals is strong, the studio could be positioning Marty Supreme as a serious year-end contender.
Why an early festival premiere would make sense
– Early festival exposure can build critical momentum and awards-season visibility ahead of a high-profile release date.
– A departure from the Safdies’ established style could broaden the film’s appeal and attract new audiences, increasing the value of festival buzz.
– The star power (Chalamet, Paltrow) and the ambitious scope suggested by the large character count support a strategy that leans on both critical praise and wide audience interest.
Additional comments and context
– Josh Safdie is best known for intense, tightly wound films; a tonal shift here could showcase creative range and change how critics and awards voters perceive his work.
– Darius Khondji’s involvement and the reported scale of characters suggest a visually ambitious, possibly ensemble-driven film that may play differently on the festival circuit than the Safdies’ prior films.
– A Christmas Day release is a classic awards-season slot; pairing that with an early festival premiere is a traditional play to maximize both buzz and box-office potential.
Short summary
A24 may premiere Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme at a fall festival more than two months before its Christmas Day release. The Timothée Chalamet starrer — set in 1953 and inspired in part by ping-pong figure Marty Reisman — reportedly deviates from the Safdies’ usual style, features a large ensemble and substantial production scale, and is being positioned as a possible year-end contender.
Hopeful spin
If Marty Supreme truly marks a stylistic breakthrough for Safdie and connects with early festival audiences, it could expand his creative profile and offer Chalamet another high-profile showcase — potentially delivering a fresh, surprising entry into awards season.
Logical note
A24’s festival strategy likely balances the desire for early critical validation with the need to preserve holiday opening momentum; keeping the premiere location secret while confirming the release date allows the studio flexibility to capitalize on early reactions without committing publicly to a single festival outcome.