Chalamet Defends Bizarre Marty Supreme Marketing Campaign
The Dune star stands by his unconventional promotional tactics for his latest A24 film, despite fan backlash over the cringe-worthy approach that's blurred comedy with marketing.
The Call Me By Your Name star has found himself defending his unusual promotional strategy for his latest A24 project after fans criticized the approach as crossing the line from entertaining to embarrassing. Speaking about the backlash, the actor maintained that his marketing choices align perfectly with the film's character, stating: "This is in the spirit of Marty, and I feel like this is ultimately an original film at a time when original movies aren't really put out. It's a movie about the pursuit of a dream. I'm leaving it on the field. Whether it's the merch or the Zoom or the media appearances, I'm trying to get this out in the biggest way possible. In the spirit of Marty Mauser."
Despite launching during the same period as major blockbusters like Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash, the controversial promotional campaign has actually helped drive ticket sales during the film's limited theatrical run.
The Actor's Outrageous Promotional Stunts
One particularly memorable moment involved an 18-minute video call where the young actor pitched centering the entire marketing campaign around the color orange. Drawing comparisons to Barbie's pink-themed success, he argued that color association was the key to box office dominance.
During this presentation, he dramatically unveiled what he claimed was a revolutionary new shade, only to reveal a completely ordinary orange hue. His suggestions escalated to painting the Statue of Liberty orange and filling the sky with orange aircraft.
The promotional tour also included moments where he appeared overly confident about awards season prospects, telling interviewers: "I want the movie to succeed. I want everything to win. The real truth is that 'Marty Supreme,' I feel confident to the degree that by next summer … I'm confident I know what it's gonna be by next summer."
Box Office Success Despite Criticism
While many viewers found his deliberately obnoxious persona off-putting, especially given the film's serious artistic positioning, the strategy appears to be working financially. The movie has achieved the year's highest limited opening numbers.
With earnings of $875,000 from just six theaters, the film boasts one of the strongest per-screen averages seen since La La Land. All 92 screenings across New York and Los Angeles sold out completely.
Critics have responded positively as well, with the film earning a 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Given the actor's proven track record as a box office draw, this latest project seems positioned for both commercial success and potential Oscar recognition, suggesting his unconventional marketing gamble may have paid off after all.