Vampire Bite Scene Cut from Timothée Chalamet Sports Film
Director Josh Safdie reveals the original supernatural ending that was scrapped from the table tennis drama, featuring an unexpected bloodsucking twist with a Shark Tank star.
Director Josh Safdie dropped a bombshell about his latest sports drama, revealing that the final cut audiences see wasn't always the plan. The original ending featured something completely different: a vampire attack scene starring Timothée Chalamet and Kevin O'Leary.
Speaking on the A24 Podcast with filmmaker Sean Baker, Safdie explained the scrapped finale. "You're on his eyes, we built the prosthetic for Timmy and everything, and Mr. Wonderful shows up behind him and takes a bite out of his neck, and that was the last thing in the movie," he said.
The Vampire Line That Almost Wasn't a Joke
Movie fans might remember a strange moment where Milton Rockwell, played by O'Leary, tells Marty Mauser: "I was born in 1601. I'm a vampire. I've been around forever." Most viewers probably assumed this was metaphorical, suggesting the character's ruthless business nature and warning about his manipulative tactics.
But Safdie's revelation puts that dialogue in a completely different light. The line wasn't just colorful language after all.
From Table Tennis Legend to Supernatural Thriller
The film loosely follows the real-life story of table tennis champion Marty Reisman, who became famous in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Safdie directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Ronald Bronstein, crafting what appeared to be a straightforward sports biography.
Given the movie's unpredictable tone and intense moments, a supernatural twist wouldn't have felt completely out of place. The film already pushes boundaries with its wild energy and unexpected turns.
Chalamet's Career Performance
The lead actor has called this role his strongest work to date. Despite the supernatural ending getting axed, the final version still showcases his range as a performer.
The movie hit theaters with its revised ending intact, leaving the vampire storyline on the cutting room floor. Audiences can only imagine how different the reception might have been with O'Leary's character literally biting Chalamet's neck as the credits rolled.