Acclaimed actor Timothee Chalamet has become the first celebrity to climb atop Sphere Vegas, the spherical entertainment venue famed for its 16K resolution wraparound screens. In the clip, which was shared on social media on Monday, Chalamet is framed in a close-up as he screams: “Marty Supreme is an American film that comes out on Christmas Day 2025.”
The camera then zooms out to show the actor standing on top of the 20,000-capacity venue as it turns into a giant ping-pong ball.
Marty Supreme is a sports comedy loosely based on the life and career of American table tennis player Marty Reisman. It is directed by Josh Safdie, best known for the 2019 film Uncut Gems. Besides Chalamet, who plays Marty, the film's cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion and Kevin O'Leary.
“It’s a true story about an American ping-pong champion in the 1950s. It’s a fantastic experience,” the film's cinematographer Darius Khondji told The National in April.
“It’s going to be a big thing, a big surprise when it comes out. There are lot of unknown actors around two or three well-known actors, like Timothee, Gwyneth Paltrow. The rest are people like filmmakers or friends or great characters they found on the street.”
Considered to be the world’s biggest spherical structure, Sphere Vegas, is 115 metres tall and 157 metres wide. Opened in 2023, it sits just off Vegas's famed Strip and reportedly cost $2.3 billion to build, making it the city's most expensive venue.
Plans to build Sphere Abu Dhabi were announced last year. While a location or opening date has not been revealed, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and US-based Sphere Vegas owners Sphere Entertainment have said that the UAE venue will be designed to host a variety of events, including concerts and storytelling sessions, while maintaining the concept venue's visual and lighting elements.
DCT – Abu Dhabi also has exclusive rights to build Sphere venues across the Middle East and North Africa over 10 years, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing by Sphere Entertainment.
Sphere Entertainment chief executive James L Dolan described the group's first international expansion as a milestone. “The vision for Sphere has always included a global network of venues,” he said. “Sphere is redefining live entertainment and extending the reach of its transformative impact. We are proud to collaborate with DCT – Abu Dhabi.”
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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
The biog
Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza
Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine
France is her favourite country to visit
Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family
Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter
Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country
The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns
Her motto is to never stop working for the country
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Results
Catchweight 60kg: Mohammed Al Katheeri (UAE) beat Mostafa El Hamy (EGY) TKO round 3
Light Heavyweight: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) no contest Kevin Oumar (COM) Unintentional knee by Oumer
Catchweight 73kg: Yazid Chouchane (ALG) beat Ahmad Al Boussairy (KUW) Unanimous decision
Featherweight: Faris Khaleel Asha (JOR) beat Yousef Al Housani (UAE) TKO in round 2 through foot injury
Welterweight: Omar Hussein (JOR) beat Yassin Najid (MAR); Split decision
Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Sallah Eddine Dekhissi (MAR); Round-1 TKO
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali Musalim (UAE) beat Medhat Hussein (EGY); Triangle choke submission
Welterweight: Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) beat Sofiane Oudina (ALG); Triangle choke Round-1
Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Saleem Al Bakri (JOR); Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Nawras Abzakh (JOR); TKO round-2
Catchweight 63kg: Rany Saadeh (PAL) beat Abdel Ali Hariri (MAR); Unanimous decision
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 0
Wolves 2 (Traore 80', 90 4')
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Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
