Ridley Scott box office performance is under review as his historical epic “Napoleon,” starring Joaquin Phoenix, has now been overtaken domestically by Timothée Chalamet’s “Marty Supreme.” Over the weekend, “Marty Supreme” surpassed “Napoleon” at the US box office, drawing attention to contrasting outcomes for two much-discussed projects in recent film history.
Chalamet’s ‘Marty Supreme’ Surges Past ‘Napoleon’
“Marty Supreme,” a ping pong biopic led by Timothée Chalamet, continued its successful run at the box office last weekend, closing in on becoming the first A24 release expected to earn $100 million domestically. The movie has accumulated $70.1 million in the US and $8.4 million internationally, reaching a worldwide sum of $78.5 million by current estimates. This domestic figure solidly exceeds the $61.6 million “Napoleon” earned in US theaters—a notable moment in Ridley Scott’s box office performance profile, given the director’s legacy.
“Napoleon,” widely characterized as one of Ridley Scott’s greatest fiscal setbacks, managed a worldwide take of $217 million after boosting its return with $156 million from international venues. However, estimates indicate “Napoleon” cost about $200 million to produce, meaning its breakeven point hovered around $400 million when considering marketing and distribution. The film’s struggles were compounded by criticism over its historical accuracy, a point that generated enough debate for Scott to address publically and which continues to be referenced in discussions surrounding the movie.
Critical and Audience Response Marks a Stark Divide
For Chalamet and A24, the story has been markedly different. “Marty Supreme” arrived as one of the most anticipated films of its release year. Early critical reactions positioned the film as a standout among A24’s celebrated catalog, raising expectations for awards season. Timothée Chalamet’s central performance has been widely described as career-defining, potentially placing him in the running for his first Oscar. Alongside this, Chalamet already enjoyed major releases in 2024 with “Dune: Part Two” and “A Complete Unknown,” but “Marty Supreme” has been highlighted as his transformative moment into Hollywood leading status.
Key Cast and Creative Team Behind ‘Marty Supreme’
The cast of “Marty Supreme” features Gwyneth Paltrow, known for her work in “Iron Man,” portraying Kay Stone, a key romantic lead opposite Chalamet’s Marty Mauser. Odessa A’zion also stars as Rachel Mizler, Marty’s other significant relationship in the film, with the story ultimately resolving in her favor. The movie further includes Tyler the Creator in the role of Wally, a friend to the main character, and “Shark Tank” entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary as Milton Rockwell, supporting Marty’s professional ambitions. The project was both written and directed by Josh Safdie, recognized for his collaborative work with Benny Safdie on A24’s “Uncut Gems,” starring Adam Sandler.
Exploring the Consequences for Ridley Scott and the Industry
The underwhelming domestic results for “Napoleon” have sparked scrutiny of Ridley Scott’s choices and the risks of high-budget historical dramas in today’s marketplace. The film’s need to double its substantial production cost to reach profitability demonstrates the changing dynamics for established directors. Meanwhile, the commercial strength of “Marty Supreme” and its potential to make A24 history reinforce the rise of new talent like Timothée Chalamet and the public’s appetite for unique, character-driven stories.
If current trends hold, the industry is likely to see further emphasis on distinctive storytelling and casting, even as established names such as Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, and Ridley Scott confront a shifting narrative landscape. Observers will continue to watch how “Marty Supreme” performs in the coming weeks, as well as how this impacts the approach to high-stakes filmmaking moving forward.
