Last fall, Timothée Chalamet shared a link on social media for a Zoom meeting with marketing executives from A24 to discuss promotional strategies for his upcoming film, Marty Supreme. This opportunity provided a rare look into how marketing campaigns truly develop, especially for an original indie film centered on a 1950s hustler striving to be the world’s table tennis champion.
Chalamet passionately engaged the group, declaring, “We must be intentional, relentless, aggressive.” He emphasized the significance of the project, claiming, “This needs to be one of the most important things that happens on Planet Earth this year.” When asked about the best recent marketing campaign, he pointed to Barbie’s successful rollout. Although he considered using orange—reflecting his character’s association with orange ping-pong balls—he was cautious of merely replicating Barbie’s aesthetic. He proposed an alternative shade he described as “corroded, falling apart and rusted,” and introduced the concept of featuring an orange blimp with the slogan “Marty Supreme…dream big.”
One A24 executive expressed enthusiasm but voiced concerns about the historical associations of blimps, namely the Hindenburg disaster. Chalamet, unfazed, suggested that the blimp could travel across the country, culminating in Los Angeles, where orange ping-pong balls could rain down on attendees at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Festival.
Another executive raised safety concerns about the blimp’s logistics, yet Chalamet was undeterred. He remarked, “I don’t want to put anybody in an unsafe condition but also don’t want to be too safe about putting out this movie,” proposing that any risk could be worth the intellectual gain for viewers.
By the conclusion of the 18-minute Zoom session, it became apparent that this was more than a marketing meeting; it was a cleverly orchestrated publicity stunt designed to generate buzz, which successfully captured audience attention. This approach demonstrates the unique influence actors can have in creatively promoting their films.
Many successful marketing strategies, such as Ryan Reynolds’ unique approach with the first Deadpool, show the impact of unconventional campaigns. While Marty Supreme may not rival a Marvel blockbuster, it stands as A24’s most expensive project to date, with a production budget reported between $60 and $70 million.
Chalamet has been vocal about his marketing involvement, emphasizing the necessity of engaging audiences in a world where attention spans are fleeting. His efforts have yielded impressive results as Marty Supreme has shattered multiple box office records since its holiday release. As it continues to gain momentum, experts project that the film could exceed $170 million to $180 million globally.
