(Image source: A24 Films)
If you recently caught "Marty Supreme," the latest film from Josh Safdie, co-director of "Uncut Gems," you might recall Kevin O'Leary, who plays Gwyneth Paltrow's husband, warning Timothée Chalamet's character, Marty, that he's a vampire not to be trifled with. While audiences likely dismissed this as an exaggerated taunt, Safdie now reveals it was no joke.
During a recent appearance on A24's official podcast, where he spoke with award-winning director Sean Baker, Safdie revealed he originally conceived an ending that would have confirmed O'Leary's character, Milton, was indeed a vampire. Safdie described this alternate ending, set in the 1980s, where an elderly Marty attends a concert with his granddaughter. Suddenly, Milton would appear behind him, reveal his true vampiric form, and bite Marty.
(Image source: A24 Films)
Safdie detailed the original ending's premise: "Marty eventually transformed the shoe store he worked at into the most successful shop on Orchard Street. He renamed it 'Marty's Moccasins,' then franchised it, expanding beyond New York State and becoming a millionaire. Marty met every definition of success; his family grew, he left New York City, and bought a beautiful house. The story would conclude with him and his granddaughter at a Tears for Fears concert, sitting in prime front-row seats. He'd be listening to 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World,' contemplating youth and the meaning of life. His life was incredibly prosperous, yet he hadn't fulfilled what he believed was his true calling."
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Safdie continued: "We had a prosthetic body made for Timmy [Chalamet], and everything was ready. Then Mr. Wonderful [O'Leary's nickname] would appear behind him, bite his neck, and that would be the final shot of the film, with Mr. Wonderful not having aged a day." Safdie added that when A24 executives read that part of the script, they were stunned and immediately asked him, "This is a mistake, right?" They couldn't believe such a twist ending.
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In a recent interview with "Variety," O'Leary also admitted he preferred the original vampire ending. He stated that while the ending sounded crazy, he felt it was a fitting punishment for Marty. O'Leary explained that Marty had harmed many people in his ruthless pursuit of success and deserved to be punished. He questioned, "Why not make him live in misery forever after that?" O'Leary even suggested to Safdie that Rachel, who was pregnant with Marty's child, should die in childbirth, but Safdie considered the idea too "sick" and ultimately abandoned it.
Not only did O'Leary prefer the original ending, but he also strongly disliked the current version. He expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, "I told them I was very unhappy with the ending because my character was completely screwed over by [Marty]. This happy ending is ridiculous."
via： Variety