Pete Davidson Debuts Dramatic New Look for Tommy Karate
Pete Davidson is almost unrecognisable in his latest movie role.
The actor was photographed on the set of Tommy Karate in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, on August 25, 2026. His appearance was noticeably different from his usual look, with longer dark hair, bright blue contacts and a more serious on-screen style.
The change is part of Davidson’s preparation to play Tommy Pitera, the real-life Bonanno crime family figure whose martial arts background earned him the nickname “Tommy Karate”.
The upcoming film is a crime thriller inspired by Pitera’s story. Davidson is also involved behind the camera as a writer and producer, making the project a significant creative venture for the actor.
Pete Davidson’s Tommy Karate Transformation Explained
The most noticeable part of the Pete Davidson Tommy Karate transformation is his hair.
Instead of his familiar shorter hairstyle, Davidson appeared with much longer, dark hair parted near the middle. The style falls around his face and gives him a distinctly different silhouette. He also wore coloured contacts that made his eyes appear bright blue.
His costume further separates the character from Davidson’s everyday appearance.
Photos from the Brooklyn set show him wearing dark clothing, including a black bomber jacket, a patterned shirt, loose black trousers and red sneakers. Together with the hairstyle and contacts, the wardrobe gives the character a distinctly period-inspired crime-film appearance.
This is not simply a cosmetic change. Davidson is portraying a real person whose life became the basis for the film’s story.
Who Is Tommy Pitera?
Tommy Pitera, whose nickname was “Tommy Karate”, was a member of New York’s Bonanno crime family and became known for his martial arts skills.
His criminal career eventually led to a major federal case. In 1992, Pitera was convicted of six murders connected to a drug-trafficking operation and received a life sentence after a jury rejected the death penalty. Contemporary reporting from UPI records that prosecutors had portrayed him as a violent mob hitman.
Federal court records also identify Thomas Pitera as a Mafia contract killer who was convicted of six murders.
The distinction is important because Pitera was associated with allegations involving many more killings, but those allegations should not be presented as convictions. The film draws from the broader story surrounding his criminal career while focusing on his pursuit and capture.
What Is Tommy Karate About?
Tommy Karate follows the pursuit of Tommy Pitera by DEA agent Jim Hunt.
Paul Walter Hauser is set to play Hunt, while Davidson takes the title role. The cast also includes Camila Mendes and Simon Rex. Justin Chon is directing the movie and co-wrote the screenplay with Davidson and Joseph Gay.
The project is based on Philip Carlo’s nonfiction book The Butcher: Anatomy of a Mafia Psychopath. According to the film’s reported premise, the story centres on Pitera’s criminal activities and the law-enforcement effort that eventually brought him down.
Pete Davidson Has Been Developing the Film for Years
Davidson’s connection to Tommy Karate goes beyond acting.
When the project was announced in March 2026, reports said he had been working on it for more than three years. Davidson described the movie as a passion project and called the role a “dream job”.
His involvement also includes screenwriting and producing. That makes the transformation particularly notable because Davidson is not simply stepping into a role created for him. He has been involved in developing the project itself.
Director Justin Chon is also part of the writing team. The combination gives the film a more personal connection to Davidson than a standard acting assignment.
Why Pete Davidson’s New Look Is Getting Attention
Davidson is widely recognised for his comedic work and his time on Saturday Night Live. However, Tommy Karate places him in a considerably darker dramatic setting.
The visual transformation helps establish that change before audiences even see the finished film.
The longer hair, coloured contacts and restrained wardrobe create a different screen identity. More importantly, the role requires Davidson to portray a historical figure with a complicated and violent criminal background.
That combination has made the first production images a point of interest as filming continues.
When Will Tommy Karate Be Released?
A firm theatrical release date has not been established in the sources reviewed for this report.
Production information confirms the film’s 2026 shooting period, while entertainment reports have identified Davidson, Hauser, Mendes and Rex among the principal cast.
Until an official release announcement is made, details about the premiere date should be treated as unconfirmed.