Timothée Chalamet intentionally blurred his vision for 'Marty Supreme'

To prepare for his role as table tennis legend Marty Reisman in the Oscar-nominated Marty Supreme, Timothée Chalamet deliberately worsened his eyesight so he would have to rely on thick glasses. He worked with optometrist Dr. Mitchell Cassel, who temporarily blurred Chalamet’s vision to recreate the look and experience of Reisman, the late American champion nicknamed “The Needle.” Cassel began with a comprehensive eye exam and then fitted Chalamet with daily disposable contact lenses to introduce a controlled level of blur.

He designed an eyeglass prescription to precisely counteract that blur so the actor’s vision returned to normal only when the glasses were worn, ensuring the lenses felt earned rather than merely a prop. Safety and reversibility were central to the process: the alteration was carefully managed, a contact lens technician was on set, and Chalamet wore the prescription for much of filming to avoid long-term effects.

United States

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