Timothée Chalamet nearly spit out his water when asked this

Set in 1950s New York City, Oscar nominee Timothee Chalamet stars as Marty Mouser, a young man who will do whatever it takes to become a champion table tennis player. Do you make money with this little table tennis thing? Not yet. He's an incredibly magnetic character, but he's also just maddening. How would you describe him? He's a huge dream, and when you have a big dream in life and you don't really have anyone supporting you when you're young, you're your best supporter, and that comes with all the positive qualities of self-belief and all the negative qualities that border on selfish. He doesn't know the meaning of the word no. No is not his vocabulary. And with that obligation comes sacrifice. He compromises with no one, including himself. So how much of Timothee is in Marty? A significant part of who I was in my early 20s or late teens to the degree that I was deeply motivated to have an acting career. There's a great scene you have with Gwyneth Paltrow where she says to Marty, And what do you plan to do if this whole dream of yours doesn't work out? That doesn't even enter my consciousness. Maybe it should. Was that you then? That's maybe the line I relate to the most in the film is that line because my parents and loved ones wanted me to have a plan B, C, and D, and at 29 years old I can look back and go, that was actually great advice, you know? But in the moment I really did feel like if all my energy is not going towards a plan A, I'm going to end up doing something I don't want to do in life. And I hope this movie, you know, it sounds cheesy, but can serve as that engine for, I was going to say for young people, but for everyone, and that it is okay to dream big. I don't think you understand the stakes here. You find that funny? I get nervous laughter sometimes. Kevin O'Leary can act. Yeah, he was fantastic in the movie, yeah. Were you a little wary though at first? Because he has a big role and you'd be playing up against him. No, I wasn't worried because what was being relayed to me was an unusual level of confidence that you see on Shark Tank. The biggest thing that can read as insincere from a non-actor or from an actor is a level of tension or anxiety. That's the first thing I think as a viewer you go, this person looks like they're aware that there's a camera on them or they're being filmed. And Kevin had none of that. I mean, Kevin was all swagger. And then on the other hand, you work with one of the most accomplished actors. I bet you can't name one film I've done. I felt naive in feeling like I was discovering Gwyneth Paltrow's talent. That is to say, I would act opposite her and I'd go, wow, she's really incredible. Tell me about the table tennis. Did you play before you knew you were going to do the movie? I played casually. Do you play? Nothing like the way you play in this movie. Okay, good. I appreciate it. No, I played casually, but I worked for six years with a ping pong coach. They got me to a level where I could make it look good and precise. Chalamet has been leading the whirlwind Marty Supreme press tour that's included a ping pong ball orange blimp flying around the country, limited edition Marty merchandise, including custom jackets, and this. Here we have the Wheaties box. Amazing. Yeah, yeah, I love that. And it's only a matter of time before I'm staring at you from the cover of a Wheaties box. And this is something that's actually really important to you, isn't it? To do this in a different way. I can't lie to you. The principal part is, man, do I want to say this, but it's the truth, is a feeling of authorship. I look at everything these days in terms of perspective and authorship, so that's part of it. But the bigger, more important thing is I want the movie to succeed and I want everything to win in the film industry. When you say succeed, is it people in the seats? Is it great reviews? Is it a combination? This is a real conversation. I'm trying to keep my PR brain on. But the real truth is with Marty Supreme I feel confident to the degree that by next summer, I don't know, man, should I not be saying this? I feel like it will, you know. We'll know. I'm confident. I know what it's going to be by next summer. I'd like to say you've already done me a great favor. You said we're having a real conversation and you can't lie to me. That's a great promo for me. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, yeah, you got it out of me. George got it out of me. I'm not running for president, thank God. But fans of the actor are convinced he's playing another role, British rapper S.D. Kid, who keeps his identity under wraps except for the eyes. So you said you can't lie to me. Yeah. Are you S.D. Kid? You almost made me spit out my water. No comment. Well, I think you just made a comment there, but that's okay. I'm going to give you a final 30 seconds. Talk to all those young people out there. Tell them why they have to see this movie. Well, the story is representative of the fact that, you know, you can pursue a singular dream. It doesn't have to be a selfish one. It can be a communal one. It could be becoming the greatest table tennis player in the world, you know. But ultimately, if you get your butt in the seat, the ride is worth it. So that's how I feel. Every man for himself where I come from. That's just how I grew up. What a talent, huh? What a conversation. Two weeks shy of his 30th birthday. Not even 30 years old. That was so talented. Incredible. So talented. Martin Supremes in theaters on Christmas Day. Go see it.