Tyler Okonma, aka Tyler, the Creator, is officially stepping into a new era. The Grammy-winning artist, designer, and creative polymath is starring in his first major feature film role in Marty Supreme, the upcoming A24 sports dramedy directed by Josh Safdie.
The film hits theaters on Christmas and pairs him with Timothée Chalamet.
Marty Supreme follows Marty Mauser (Chalamet), an eccentric and obsessively determined table tennis player who dreams of becoming the best in the world.
The story is loosely inspired by the real-life champion Marty Reisman, a cult figure in the sport known for his flair, finesse, and flair for showmanship.
Tyler plays one of Marty’s closest friends and confidants, a hype man of sorts, who rides shotgun as Marty chases greatness with near-delusional conviction.
The trailer showcases the dynamic clearly: a little chaos, a lot of loyalty, and the kind of chemistry that makes a buddy story worth telling.
In one scene, Tyler’s character shouts, “The Mouse is back, baby, yeah!” as he and Marty speed off into another adventure. In another, he dances wildly on the side of the road, a burst of comic relief in the film’s surreal and stylish world.
But what makes this role special isn’t simply the comedy. It’s the trust between Tyler and Safdie.
At the film’s surprise screening during the New York Film Festival, Tyler took the mic:
“I’m so grateful, beyond grateful. I play piano and put on cool clothes. I do not act at all. This man is so good that I trusted him and said, ‘Anything you need. I don’t want to read this script. I will show up and be there.’ Because I trust this man.”
The cast is stacked: Gwyneth Paltrow, Fran Drescher, Abel Ferrara, Penn Jillette, Kevin O’Leary, and Odessa A’zion round out the ensemble. Early festival reactions already have the film generating Oscars buzz.
Marty Supreme premieres in theaters on December 25. Check out the trailer.
