Timothée Chalamet on table tennis, his twenties and his love of... Susan Boyle

Timothée Chalamet is a man who is able to practice. Marty Supreme, his current film role, spent seven years focusing on the tennis tennis game.

I was given the opportunity to work on this project in 2018. So I had six, seven years to prepare on and off.

I would train as much as possiblein all my downtime, he says. Chalamet's contribution to film has aided in his fame. His ping pong preparations were actually longer than the five years he spent learning to play the guitar for his Oscar-nominated role in A Complete Unknown. "I think the role in this film, whether you were a Dylan fan or a guitarist, [is to ensure] that it looks realistic to you on film. If you're a ping-pong expert, it's likely that this sounds believable to you.

When filming Dune, his dedication included moving his table tennis table into the desert, and it was oompah ping-pong between them and Wonka.

Well, by the time the French Dispatch came out [in 2021], I had a video on a cliffside for the Cannes Film Festival, and I was in a stunning Airbnb,

he says.

And I had a table with me. So I have a video of working with friends. It's like a gorgeous sunset.

Christy eyed, mentally transporting himself back to the days when he was honing his backhand on the French Riviera.

I get to live this amazing life where I work on these projects that are really close and dear to my heart. A majority of actors don't have the opportunity to work, let alone research on topics they actually care about.

There are worse things in life than having to learn how to play the guitar and playing table tennis at a high level.

Chalamet's vivacious role in Marty Supreme has already received him best actor nominations at both the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, and the Oscar race is now regarded as a head-to-head battle between him and Leonardo DiCaprio. Marty Reisman, a real-life post-war table tennis star, is the subject of the film. Marty Mauser's semi-fictionalized film version, on the other hand, has some questionable morals, being complicit in a heist and trying to ruin his biggest sponsor's marriage, who resents. Chalamet, despite his on-screen appearances, is a big fan of his character.

You know, if you're in your early twenties, you'll be an idiot,

he laughs.

And this film, in large part, is about being an idiot in your early twenties.

You also have a passion that you're particular about, and instead of being a moron, you'll be a fool.

The actor's twenties are about to end. On December 27, the day after Marty Supreme Supreme opens in cinemas, he will turn 30. This monumental birthday is the perfect opportunity to ask him how he remembers his youth, a decade in which he has twice been voted best actor at the Oscars (for Call Me By You Name and A Complete Unknown). A huge smile comes over his face. It's been great. You know, it's been awesome.I feel as if I'm living in a dream. I'm on the roof of a luxurious hotel in London and writing about a film about which I'am deeply passionate.

Marty Mauser's character has the same tenacity as Chalamet demonstrated while claiming his best actor SAG Award this year. He declared that he is

actually in search of greatnessin his acceptance address.I know people don't usually talk like that," he said, before naming actors Daniel Day Lewis, Marlon Brando, Viola Davis, basketball legend Michael Jordan, basketball hero Michael Phelps, and swimmer Michael Paide as examples to whom he wanted to be compared.

When I ask him where his confidence comes from, he tells me where his fear comes from.

You know, it ebbs and flows. And I'm guessing that's just what keeps me on my toes.

It's my New York mentality insofar as I'm on a film or in a social situation, you'll be fine. If not, the world is falling apart, he says, demonstrating vulnerability for the first time since we met. "I think getting to be more on your feet as I approach my 30th birthday in a few weeks. You want to grow into yourself. But that is a huge learning curve. And I try not to be too hard on myself or those around me who are also growing.

He is absolutely certain of his obsession with the big screen. Marty Supreme, a film that will be released in the same month as Netflix has announced its intention to purchase Warner Bros, one of Hollywood's major film studios, will be available in a large cinema theater but not for any subscription service. After I ask Chalamet if cinemas will actually live the length of his career, he says, it's an interesting question.I do agree that with streaming services, there's less incentive for these streaming businesses to try to put things in theaters, which is risky. "I do agree that cinemas will survive and thrive. And that is not to say that you are a fake optimist.

And he wants to play his part.

I feel like my job as a young actor, especially the younger one,

says the actor. 'How can we get people to revisit this classic form? 'Rather than go,'Hey, how can we take this old form and bring it to people?

Chris Chalamet sincerely believes that Marty Supreme will, in its own way, support cinemas.

This is an original film at a time when a lot of original films aren't made. And there's no part of me that's saying this, says the director,

Hey, if you bring yourself to see this movie, you won't be disappointed. It's really like a slingshot.

One of Chalamet's ways of bringing the film to the people is to embark on a highly original Marty Supreme promotional tour.

There was a leaked market zoom call, with him pitching increasingly deranged concepts. At premieres, he and his mother, Kylie Jenner, have all worn matching orange outfits. For the past month, he has also been selling jackets bearing the film's name to people he regards as true geniuses. So far, honorees include singer Frank Ocean, former NFL star Tom Brady, and Barcelona's Spanish wunderkind Lamine Yamal.

EsDeeKid speculation

I ask which Brits would be worthy. Lewis Hamilton, David and Victoria, he begins, referring to the seven-time Formula One champion and the Beckhams. When asked about this, he continues, Fakemink, he says, referring to EsDeeKid, the anonymous Liverpool drill artist who has reportedly joined EsDeeks as the unknown Liverpool rapper who some have speculated may be Chalamet in disguise. All will be revealed.But Chalamet's final pick for a great Briton comes completely out of left field. He answers, Susan Boyle, after a long pause and some deep reflection.

Yes, it turns out that one of the world's best movie stars is an admirer of the 64-year-old former Britain's Got Talent actress, who went on to have two number one albums.

She dreamt bigger than any of us,he says, without a hint of irony.Who wasn't moved by that?

He talks about Les Misérables' 2009 viral clip of the Scottish singer performing I Dreamed A Dream. The actor claims,

I remember it like it was yesterday. "You know, it was like the start of YouTube. Timothée Chalamet is a singer who plays the violin and plays his own dream. On Boxing Day, Marty Supreme will be announced.