During a recent Q&A session for the film Marty Supreme, Robert Downey Jr.—who won the supporting actor Oscar for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in 2024—offered high praise for Timothée Chalamet, describing the 30-year-old star as “one of the greats” of his generation. This endorsement comes as Chalamet’s Oscar campaign for Marty Supreme gains momentum ahead of the upcoming awards season.
Robert Downey Jr. Endorses Chalamet’s Pursuit of Greatness
At the Q&A, Downey reflected on his own career and the journey toward achieving greatness in acting. He recounted a moment when he was 30 and working with director Norman Jewison, asking him if he was already “one of the greats.” Jewison’s response was cautious, but Downey now said that, in Chalamet’s case, such doubt no longer remains. Downey said:
“You’ve talked a lot lately about this, I am literally twice your age. When I was 30, I was making a movie with Norman Jewison. It was called ‘Only You.’ Me and Marisa Tomei. We were on the Amalfi coast somewhere and I just go to Norman Jewison, you know ‘Moonstruck’ and all these great movies, I go, ‘Norman, I think I am one of the greats. I want you to tell me if you agree with that.’ He looked at me like I was nuts. He said, ‘Well, Mr. Downey, that remains to be seen.’ And I want to say in front of God and everyone in this audience here with you that as of ‘Marty Supreme,’ it no longer remains to be seen. Let’s hear it for, Timothée Chalamet.”
— Robert Downey Jr., actor
Chalamet’s Open Declaration of Ambition
Chalamet has been candid about his desire to be remembered among the greatest actors of his time. At the 2025 SAG Awards, where he won best actor for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, he shared his outlook on chasing greatness. In his acceptance speech, Chalamet explained:
“I can’t downplay the significance of this award, because it means the most to me. I know we’re in a subjective business, 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 am inspired by the greats. I’m as inspired by Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando and Viola Davis as I am Michael Jordan and Micheal Phelps. I want to be up there. This doesn’t signify that but it’s a little more fuel — a little more ammo to keep going.”
— Timothée Chalamet, actor
Momentum Builds with Critical Acclaim and Award Recognition
Chalamet is viewed as a leading contender for the best actor Oscar due to his role in Marty Supreme. The film has already earned him accolades from the Critics’ Choice Awards and Golden Globes, as well as a nomination from the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Additionally, he appears on the BAFTA longlist for best actor, further solidifying his standing in the awards race.
His promotional campaign has stirred conversations in Hollywood, partly because of his unconventional and sometimes bold interview statements. One particular interview drew attention after Chalamet claimed that Marty Supreme stands as his finest performance to date, surpassing his work over the past seven or eight years. He stated plainly:
“I don’t want people to take it for granted. I don’t want to take it for granted. This is really some top-level shit.”
His comments sparked both admiration and debate among critics and fans, with many analyzing the actor’s confidence as an indicator of his strong belief in the film’s potential impact.
Subtle Predictions of Oscar Success
In a later appearance on Good Morning America, Chalamet hinted at the film’s promising future at the Oscars, expressing cautious optimism during the interview. He shared:
“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.”
— Timothée Chalamet, actor
Chalamet’s self-assuredness appears to align with the film’s commercial success, as Marty Supreme is approaching $100 million globally, positioning Chalamet as a front-runner at the Oscars scheduled for March.
Upcoming Projects and a Playful Rivalry
Once the Marty Supreme awards season concludes, Chalamet plans to embark on the international press tour for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three, set for release on December 18. Interestingly, Robert Downey Jr. also has a major film, Avengers: Doomsday, launching on the same day. During the Q&A, they joked about the coincidence, naming it “Dunesday”:
“We both have films opening on December 18, and we decided to coin it … We’re thinking Dunesday. We’ll see if we’re still friends by then.”
— Robert Downey Jr., actor
Wide Acclaim for Downey’s Support
The warm endorsement from Downey has been celebrated online, with industry observers praising the sincerity of his comments. Scott Mantz, a well-known film commentator, tweeted his enthusiasm after the Q&A:
“WOW!! At the end of the incredible Q&A he moderated for ‘MARTY SUPREME,’ ROBERT DOWNEY JR gave TIMOTHEE CHALAMET an AMAZING COMPLIMENT!”
— Scott Mantz 🖖, film commentator
This public show of respect from an established actor adds further momentum to Chalamet’s rising stature and underscores the respect he has earned among his peers.
Timothée Chalamet says he’s given “top-of-the-line performances” these last “seven, eight years”: “I don’t want people to take it for granted. I don’t want to take it for granted. This is really some top-level shit”
byu/AggressiveRepair5 inFauxmoi
WOW!! At the end of the incredible Q&A he moderated for “MARTY SUPREME,” ROBERT DOWNEY JR gave TIMOTHEE CHALAMET an AMAZING COMPLIMENT! pic.twitter.com/tLED2mtfnW
— Scott Mantz 🖖 (@MovieMantz) January 15, 2026
