Imagine a film about a ping-pong prodigy turning into a vampire-infused drama—sounds wild, right? Well, that was almost the reality for Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme, and A24 thought it had to be a mistake. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: the original ending wasn’t just a genre twist; it was a full-blown dive into the bizarre, leaving everyone who read the script utterly floored. And this is the part most people miss—it wasn’t just about shock value; it was a bold exploration of success, regret, and the consequences of abandoning one’s true calling.
During a candid conversation on the A24 Podcast, Safdie revealed an early version of the film’s conclusion that took Marty Supreme far beyond its sports drama roots. Starring Timothée Chalamet as Marty Mauser, the story was originally envisioned to follow the character decades after his ping-pong glory days, transforming him into a wildly successful yet unfulfilled businessman. Marty’s rise in the shoe business—turning a small store into a franchise empire—was a testament to his ambition, but the ending was meant to question whether his success truly mattered if he wasn’t pursuing his passion.
The climax? A reflective moment at a Tears for Fears concert, where an aging Marty, surrounded by family, ponders the meaning of youth and purpose while listening to ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World.’ But here’s the controversial twist: the final scene was a genre-bending shock, paying off a seemingly throwaway line from earlier in the film. Remember when Kevin O’Leary’s character, Milton Rockwell, casually claimed to be a vampire? In Safdie’s original script, that wasn’t just a joke—it was the truth. The film would’ve ended with Rockwell sinking his fangs into Marty’s neck, revealing that Marty hadn’t aged a day. Bold? Absolutely. Confusing to A24 executives? You bet. Their reaction? ‘This is a mistake, right?’
What’s even more surprising is that O’Leary was fully on board with the vampire twist. In an interview with Variety, he revealed that Safdie had gone as far as creating digital vampire teeth for the scene. ‘It would be the right punishment,’ O’Leary said, referring to Marty’s selfish choices. But here’s where it gets even more divisive: O’Leary wasn’t a fan of the film’s final, more conventional ending, calling it a ‘kumbaya’ conclusion that let Marty off too easily. He even pitched a darker idea—having Rachel, played by Odessa A’Zion, die in childbirth as a consequence of Marty’s actions. Safdie considered it but ultimately deemed it ‘too sick.’
While the vampire ending never made it to the screen, it adds a fascinating layer to Marty Supreme’s legacy. It showcases Safdie’s willingness to push boundaries, even if it left the studio scratching their heads. But here’s the question for you: Would the vampire twist have elevated the film to cult classic status, or would it have been a step too far? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions!
