The multifaceted and undoubtedly talented Timothee Chalamet has achieved major success with standout roles in Little Women, Beautiful Boy, Lady Bird, Call Me by Your Name, and Dune.
But now, Chalamet is taking his commitment to art even further by taking on the creative role behind the marketing of Marty Supreme. Beyond acting, his off-screen dedication shines in a unique and highly strategic marketing approach that transforms promotion into performance.
A24, the studio behind Marty Supreme, has gained popularity through the years with films such as Priscilla andMidsommar. But the marketing for Marty Supreme has gone off the charts. A movie trailer about ping pong matches: Would it compel you to visit the theaters? Probably not, unless you have a niche interest in the sport. One of Chalamet’s greatest strengths is his ability to generate this excitement even when the concept alone might not.
Chalamet explained that the film’s intense marketing campaign “is in the spirit of Marty.” He seized the opportunity to use a strategy that’s described as method marketing.
Method marketing is similar to method acting, involving fully embodying the project. Instead of stepping into the shoes of the character, Chalamet stepped further into the mindset of the audience to understand what they needed in order to feel persuaded to see Marty Supreme. He made each advertisement feel like a pop-culture moment rather than a traditional promotion.
Chalamet’s commitment and relentless pursuit of excellence plays a defining role in shaping who he is as an actor today.
A ‘leaked’ Zoom call creates authentic energy
The first public marketing stunt set the tone was “leaked” zoom call with Timothee Chalamet and the marketing team of A24.
Chalamet took control, pitching his bold ideas to market the movie, such as drenching everything, including national symbols like the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel tower, in a “corroding orange,” the color associated with the identity of the film.
Chalamet also adopted the persona of Marty Mouser, acting as a fast-talking, relentless hustler. At one point, he snaps back in the call, saying, “Yeah, you did cut me off. So–”
Embodying the unapologetic energy wasn’t accidental; it reinforced the character’s energy while making the marketing feel authentic.
Fashion also played a massive role in building hype for the film. At one of the film’s promotional events, Chalamet debuted a vibrant orange tracksuit with large “Marty Supreme” text covering the front. With support from other celebrities such as Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Frank Ocean, the jacket sparked a trend the public now wanted in on.
This iconic collaboration with luxury clothing brand NAHMIAS helped create an unforgettable brand image. Currently on StockX, the jacket in a navy blue colorway is being sold for $7,500.
Visuals and viral marketing spark curiosity
Rather than relying on traditional interviews and trailers, the movie’s strategy relied on material-based marketing that immersed the viewer into the Marty Supreme universe. One eerily odd image features Timothee Chalamet, wearing his Marty Supreme windbreaker, sandwiched between bodyguard figures whose heads are replaced with orange ping pong balls.
At first glance, the image is unsettling and confusing, however, the ping pong balls play a key role in the film’s plot, involving a scheme in which Marty Supreme wants to redesign the color of ping pong balls to improve their visibility.
But this confusion is strategic, sparking a curiosity to search for these answers that can only be satisfied by going out to theaters and watching Marty Supreme.
What is a better way to get people to hop on the bandwagon than a social media trend? The most notable trend that emerged at the end of 2025 was an audio on TikTok where Chalamet is repeatedly exclaiming “Marty Supreme Christmas Day.” According to TikTok, about 19.4 million posts show up underneath this search.
This audio stemmed from the same “leaked” Zoom call between the marketing team and Chalamet. Chalamet’s vigorous, entertaining chant of “Marty Supreme Christmas Day” can also be seen on his appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night show. The energetic chant is fun and easily repeatable, making it perfect fuel for viral engagement across Gen Z audiences.
Beyond the audio trends, Chalamet leaned into a skit with comedian Druski for an episode of his Coulda Been Records Auditions webseries. Chalamet fully committed to the exaggerated confidence of Marty Mouser, blurring the lines of character and actor. This collaboration felt authentic and surprising, allowing Marty Supreme to reach Gen Z even further.
Chalamet’s internet history gives us an interesting look into the actor’s personality. A notable example is his viral math class rap video dating back to 2010-2011, where the actor is rapping about statistics as “Timmy T “ or “Timmy Tim.” Another video that surfaced is from 2012, where Chalamet is onstage rapping with back up dancers.
The videos may bring viewers back to their own cringey teen phase, but for Chalamet, they only make him more relatable and admirable.
His vulnerability reemphasizes his authenticity, which creates a stronger connection with younger audiences. This community of fans ultimately helps strengthen the success of his movies.
Looking at the bigger picture, the success of Marty Supreme is largely accredited to Timothee Chalamet’s ambition and relentless hustle in the name of success–which echo the traits of the character he is promoting.
By connecting with his Gen Z audience through skits, fashion, and social media trends, Chalamet has transformed marketing into storytelling. In his pursuit of greatness, Marty Supreme proves that promotion can be just as powerful as the performance itself when done creatively.
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