Timothée Chalamet opponent says playing with star was 'bonkers'
BBC World
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A semi-professional table tennis player named Josh Bennett landed an unexpected role in *Marty Supreme*, a biopic about real-life post-war table tennis star Marty Reisman, starring Timothée Chalamet. Bennett, who responded to a casting call for British players, was cast as Ted Bailey after impressing the team with his performance during a Zoom audition. The 26-year-old from Leamington Spa described the experience as "bonkers," especially after being whisked to New York for filming. His involvement in the movie highlights how the film's creators went to great lengths to ensure authenticity, including rehearsing table tennis scenes with Chalamet and Japanese player Koto Kawaguchi.
Bennett, who has played international tournaments, had to adapt to older "hardbat" techniques from the 1950s for the film. He noted that this style is more explosive and less reliant on spin due to the different equipment used at the time. The movie's release in December has already sparked renewed interest in table tennis, with friends and colleagues reaching out to him about organizing their own matches inspired by *Marty Supreme*. Bennett hopes this surge in popularity will encourage more people to attend the upcoming World Table Tennis Championships in London.
The film, which is up for 11 awards at the Bafta Film Awards, has been a labor of love for its creators. Chalamet spent seven years mastering table tennis for his role, and Bennett was lucky enough to train with him during filming. The semi-fictionalized movie not only captures the competitive spirit of 1950s table tennis but also showcases how far the sport has come. For Bennett, seeing his face on the big screen and experiencing the global attention surrounding the film has been a surreal yet rewarding journey.
Bennett's story is a testament to the power of cinema to bring unlikely opportunities and inspire new interest in sports
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/20/2026