Marty Supreme

Synopsis

Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.

Kōji Kawaguchi was a deaf Japanese actor who appeared in the film as the main adversary of the leading table tennis player. In the movie, he did not use sign language; instead, he portrayed a mute character whose presence and rivalry drove much of the tension in the story.

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Key Details

In the 2025 film Marty Supreme, deaf Japanese table tennis player Koto Kawaguchi makes his acting debut as Koto Endo, the primary rival to Timothée Chalamet’s character. A real-life bronze medalist at the 2022 Deaflympics, Kawaguchi was cast by director Josh Safdie to bring authentic table tennis expertise to the film.

The Character (Koto Endo): Endo is a 1950s Japanese table tennis prodigy who lost his hearing during the bombing of Tokyo. His character is partially inspired by Hiroji Satoh, the real-life player who revolutionized the sport with a sponge rubber racket.
Real-Life Background: Koto Kawaguchi is a 26-year-old (as of Dec 2025) table tennis champion from Japan who plays for Toyota. He was discovered by the filmmakers after they reviewed his playing showreel.
Performance and Reception: Despite being a non-actor, Kawaguchi received praise for his role as the “ultimate opp” (opponent) in the film.
Plot Significance: In the movie, Endo’s silence and unique playing style challenge the titular character, Marty, leading to intense confrontations, including a pivotal match at the 1952 British Open.

The film, directed by Josh Safdie, focuses on the high-stakes, often chaotic world of 1950s competitive table tennis.