Timothee Chalamet's Oscar Campaign Hits Major Roadblock as Director Josh Safdie Withdraws from Event
The 2026 Academy Awards season has taken an unexpected turn for actor Timothee Chalamet and his critically acclaimed film Marty Supreme. Director Josh Safdie has abruptly dropped out of a planned Q&A session in New York City, sparking concerns about the film's Oscar prospects amidst a brewing controversy.
Promotional Event Sees Director's Name Removed
To promote Marty Supreme, which has received nine Oscar nominations, the film's makers organized a special screening and Q&A session in New York City. Chalamet had previously participated in similar events and was expected to be joined by director Josh Safdie this time. However, recent promotional materials posted on social media platform X have completely omitted Safdie's name, with the event flyer now mentioning only Chalamet.
This sudden change has led industry observers to conclude that Safdie has withdrawn from the event, potentially to distance himself and the film from mounting controversies.
The Resurfaced Controversy from Good Time
The current situation stems from reports that have recently surfaced regarding an incident during the filming of the 2017 movie Good Time, which Josh Safdie co-directed with his brother Ben Safdie. According to reports from the California Post, actor Buddy Duress allegedly exposed himself to a 17-year-old actress during a scene where such action was not required.
The report further claims that Josh Safdie learned about the actress's age later that day, while his brother Benny was kept unaware of the incident. This revelation is reportedly what led to the eventual split between the Safdie brothers, who had previously collaborated on successful films like Good Time and Uncut Gems.
Impact on Marty Supreme's Oscar Chances
Marty Supreme has been a box office success and received significant critical acclaim, earning nine Oscar nominations. However, the timing of this controversy has raised concerns about potential damage to the film's awards season momentum.
Chalamet, who has received his third Best Actor nomination for his role in the film, now faces uncertainty about his Oscar prospects. If he fails to win this year, it would mark his third nomination in the category without a victory, despite being considered a frontrunner earlier in the awards season.
Additional Controversies Surrounding the Film
Beyond the Safdie controversy, Marty Supreme faces additional challenges regarding its source material. The film is loosely based on the life of table-tennis player Marty Reisman, whose family has publicly stated they did not endorse the production.
According to statements made to the Daily Mail, Reisman's family claims producers "profited while externalising harm and invoked Marty's name without attribution or compensation." In response, Safdie and his writing team have maintained they created a fictional story, changing the protagonist's last name to Mauser as a creative choice.
Safdie previously told the Hollywood Reporter that Reisman's biography served as his "entry point" into the world of table tennis, describing the similarities as an "homage" to the legendary player.
Broader Implications for Hollywood
The situation has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with many viewing it as a potential Oscar smear campaign. Despite their professional separation, the Safdie brothers have continued to support each other's work publicly and have been seen together during family holidays.
Josh Safdie has yet to address the multiple controversies surrounding him in recent weeks, while the makers of Marty Supreme appear to be taking steps to distance the film from these issues as the Oscars approach.
