Timothée Chalamet Defends Marty Supreme Marketing Campaign

The actor says the viral stunts were not just gimmicks, but a way to connect with audiences.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Ahead of the Oscars, where Marty Supreme is nominated for nine awards, Timothée Chalamet addressed claims that the film's unconventional marketing campaign was just a series of publicity stunts. Chalamet argued the stunts, which included a giant orange blimp and fans camping out for viral Marty jackets, were a way for him to express himself as an artist and connect with audiences beyond the 'pretentious in-crowd'.

Why it matters

Marty Supreme, an independent film inspired by a little-known ping-pong player, has become a surprise box office hit, surpassing $100 million globally. Chalamet's defense of the marketing campaign highlights how actors are taking a more active role in promoting their films in unique ways to stand out in a crowded entertainment landscape.

The details

During a Q&A in London, Chalamet was asked about the lengths he went to market Marty Supreme, which included a massive orange blimp touring the U.S., fans camping out for viral Marty jackets, and even turning the Las Vegas sphere into a giant ping-pong ball. Chalamet said he doesn't view these as mere 'promotion or marketing,' but rather as a way to 'express myself' as an artist. He said he wants to 'reach audiences' beyond the 'pretentious in-crowd,' noting Marty Supreme had the 'least frequent moviegoing audience' in America this year.

  • Marty Supreme has earned nine Oscar nominations ahead of the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026.
  • The film surpassed $100 million at the global box office a month into its release and has made $129.3 million worldwide ahead of its digital/physical release this week.

The players

Timothée Chalamet

The 30-year-old actor who stars in Marty Supreme and led the film's unconventional marketing campaign.

Richard Curtis

The filmmaker who moderated the Q&A with Chalamet in London.

Marty Supreme

The independent sports dramedy film inspired by a little-known ping-pong player that Chalamet starred in.

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What they’re saying

“This is the new way of doing stuff. I'm trying to reach audiences, you know. I don't want to be in the pretentious in-crowd. 'Marty Supreme' in America had the least frequent moviegoing audience this year — people that weren't going to see everything. That's my favorite feedback on the movie.”

— Timothée Chalamet, Actor (Variety)

“This risks killing any mystery around it, but I really don't look at it as promotion or marketing. I see myself as an artist expanding. And certainly the Zoom had a little bit of satire to it, but the initial video in the glass box, those [ping-pong ball] heads, I feel like I'm expressing myself.”

— Timothée Chalamet, Actor (Variety)

What’s next

Chalamet's next movie is Dune: Part Three, which hits theaters on December 18, 2026, and fans are curious to see how he will approach the film's marketing campaign.

The takeaway

Chalamet's defense of the Marty Supreme marketing campaign highlights how actors are taking a more active and creative role in promoting their films, going beyond traditional publicity stunts to connect with wider audiences and express their artistic vision.