Timothée Chalamet’s Oscar campaign for Marty Supreme is taking a new direction, as the actor adjusts his public approach during award season to enhance his chances in the competitive Best Actor race. His revised strategy, launched after an attention-grabbing promotional run, is drawing significant attention as he aims to secure his first Academy Award.
A Bold Start to the Award Season
Earlier in 2025, Chalamet began setting the tone for his Marty Supreme Oscar campaign following his Best Actor win at the SAG Awards for A Complete Unknown. In a move that caught many off guard, he directly acknowledged his ambition and named several influential figures during his acceptance speech.
“I know the classiest thing would be to downplay the effort that went into this role and how much this means to be, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats. I’m inspired by the greats. I’m inspired by the greats here tonight. I’m as inspired by Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Viola Davis as I am by Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps. And I want to be up there.”
His words were an unusual blend of candor and aspiration, cited as a sincere glimpse behind the cool persona of a Hollywood star. However, it also marked the beginning of a promotional run that would see Chalamet channel his Marty Supreme character, Marty Mauser, in public appearances, highlighting braggadocio and showmanship to generate buzz for the film and, by extension, his Oscar chances.
From Outspoken to Humble: A Calculated Change in Attitude
Following the SAG Awards, reactions to Chalamet’s forthrightness were mixed. Some admired the passion and directness that he displayed in front of his peers, especially at a time when movie stars are often encouraged to remain modest. Others saw his approach as brash, particularly since a win would have made him the youngest Best Actor Oscar recipient in history, at 30 years old—just one year older than Adrien Brody was when he set the record for The Pianist.
Within months, as Marty Supreme’s press tour rolled out, similar sentiments echoed among audiences and industry observers. While his persona was partly an extension of his quirky on-screen character, critics wondered if this self-promotion might alienate older Academy voters and past winners such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Ethan Hawke, both established veterans of the category.
Recognizing the precarious tightrope he was walking, Chalamet and his team soon pivoted. As awards season reached its peak, he took home trophies at both the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes, but his acceptance speeches shifted notably in style. Instead of focusing solely on his own journey or seeking to stand out, he highlighted his fellow nominees and praised his collaborators, striking a tone of humility and unexpected gratitude. Rather than displaying the swagger seen during earlier Marty Supreme promotions, he appeared genuinely surprised and thankful for the recognition by his industry.
Strategic Timing as Oscar Voting Commences
Chalamet’s new demeanor has arrived at a pivotal moment. Oscar nomination voting opened on Monday, January 12, immediately after the Golden Globes. With his earlier Marty Mauser-inspired antics fresh in the minds of Academy members, shifting to a humbler, more relatable public persona seems carefully timed to win over undecided or skeptical voters. This tactic distances him from any perception of entitlement and instead places him among those aspiring to join acting’s most respected ranks, referencing legends like Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Viola Davis—all recipients of the coveted Best Actor or Actress Oscar.
If successful, this calculated adjustment could cement Chalamet’s first Academy Award, connecting his rising Hollywood star to the achievements of past icons. The strategy recalls historical parallels—Marlon Brando himself was 30 when he won Best Actor for On the Waterfront, making Chalamet’s campaign all the more symbolic as he navigates age-related hurdles in a category with a tradition of favoring seasoned performers.
The Road to a Record-Breaking Film and Major Award
Marty Supreme is already exceeding box office expectations and may surpass A24’s domestic record, previously set by Everything Everywhere All at Once. The movie features Chalamet in the lead as Marty Mauser, with Odessa A’zion portraying Rachel Mizler. Chalamet’s lively promotional campaign, which blurred the lines between actor and character, played a key role in driving public interest. As the film continues its run, the shift in his Oscar campaign adds a new layer of intrigue to his journey.
What Comes Next for Chalamet and the Oscar Race
With the major phase of campaigning underway and nominations set to be announced soon, industry watchers are focused on whether Chalamet’s recalibrated approach will be enough to surpass veterans like Leonardo DiCaprio and Ethan Hawke in the final Oscar voting. The trajectory of his dynamic campaign—from brash confidence to carefully measured humility—illustrates how modern awards strategies merge personality, public visibility, and acute awareness of industry politics. If his gamble pays off, Timothée Chalamet may add “Oscar winner” to a growing list of accomplishments fueled by his drive for greatness and astute self-awareness.
