Readers of The Boston Globe were left stunned this week after spotting what appeared to be an engagement announcement for Hollywood stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.
The elegant layout and polished portrait initially seemed legitimate – until closer inspection revealed the names Emma Harwood and Charlie Thompson, in a playful twist.
Engagement Notice Revealed
The mock engagement announcement was actually a cleverly disguised promotion for the upcoming A24 film The Drama. The ad replaced the newspaper’s regular TV Critic’s Corner column, surprising readers and effectively serving as the film’s poster. Both A24 and Zendaya later shared the faux announcement on social media.
According to IMDb, Zendaya and Pattinson star as a couple engaged to be married, whose relationship unravels when an unexpected disruption throws their wedding week into chaos. The trailer for the film is scheduled to drop on Wednesday, with additional plot details remaining under wraps.
The notice also included tongue-in-cheek biographies for the fictional couple. Zendaya’s character, Emma Harwood, is described as the daughter of a decorated veteran from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a Boston University honors graduate working at a local bookstore called Mission Books.
Robert Pattinson’s character, Charlie Thompson, is listed as the son of Londoners, an Eton College graduate, and the director of the fictional Cambridge Art Museum. The notice humorously notes that he holds a PhD in Art History from Tufts – a degree the university does not actually offer. The faux wedding date of April 3, 2026, doubles as the film’s official release date.
Pattinson Opens Up About Zendaya’s Support on Set
Earlier this year, Pattinson reflected on the challenges of filming one particularly intricate scene. In an interview with French publication Premiere, he admitted he had become obsessed with deciphering a line for days, joking that he was "going crazy for three days".
Zendaya helped Pattinson get through a difficult scene. Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images.
Eventually, he called Zendaya the night before filming for guidance. Her calm reassurance that the line simply meant what it said helped him regain focus. Pattinson credited her support, saying she effectively “stopped him from going crazy” during the process.
More Collaborations on the Horizon
Zendaya and Pattinson are set to reunite in Dune: Part Three and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, both slated for 2026. Their faux Boston Globe wedding announcement has already become one of the year’s most memorable film marketing moments, blending clever promotion with star power.