In a cinematic landscape often defined by algorithmic safety and franchise fatigue, the convergence of Jacob Elordi and Gwyneth Paltrow for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series feels less like a standard press cycle and more like a tectonic shift in Hollywood’s plate tectonics. Sitting across from one another, the dialogue bridges two distinct epochs of stardom: Paltrow, the 1990s Oscar-winning icon turned wellness tycoon, and Elordi, the Gen Z leading man currently dismantling his heartthrob image through visceral, auteur-driven transformation. As they dissect their upcoming projects—Elordi as the creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Paltrow’s return to the screen in Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme—the conversation reveals a deeper narrative about the survival of craft, the recalibration of celebrity, and the impending aesthetic clash between 1950s New York polish and Gothic romanticism.
The Generational Handover: 1990s Miramax to 2020s Viral Prestige
The visual of Paltrow and Elordi sharing a frame serves as a potent symbol of Hollywood’s evolution. Paltrow represents the last "Golden Age" of the studio system—an era where mid-budget dramas could dominate the cultural conversation and mint global superstars. Her pivot to CEO of Goop defined the modern celebrity-entrepreneur blueprint, effectively creating a "semi-retirement" that made her return to acting a scarcity event.
Conversely, Elordi embodies the modern trajectory: explosive viral fame via streaming (HBO’s Euphoria) followed by a rigorous, deliberate pivot toward high art. By engaging with Paltrow, Elordi is not just participating in an interview; he is receiving a tacit benediction from the establishment. The subtext of their interaction is the tension between "content" and "cinema." Both actors are currently rejecting the former to chase the latter.
For fashion observers and industry analysts, this pairing signals a move away from influencer-based celebrity metrics back toward "The Movie Star" as a rarefied entity. Paltrow’s presence validates Elordi’s ascent, moving him from the realm of internet boyfriend to serious contender, while Elordi’s reverence for the craft re-contextualizes Paltrow not as a lifestyle guru, but as a titans of the screen returning to claim her territory.
Frankenstein: The Aesthetics of Monster Romanticism
The revelation that Jacob Elordi "wept" upon reading Guillermo del Toro’s script for Frankenstein suggests a performance rooted in profound vulnerability rather than horror tropes. Del Toro, a director known for finding the beauty in the grotesque (The Shape of Water, Crimson Peak), is poised to utilize Elordi’s physicality—his height, his brooding presence—to craft a creature that is deeply human.
This has massive implications for the upcoming fashion cycles. We are likely witnessing the birth of "Monster Romanticism" as a dominant trend. Expect to see this translated into menswear through:
- Deconstructed Tailoring: Suits that look lived-in, repaired, or intentionally distressed, mirroring the creature’s pieced-together anatomy.
- Gothic Textures: A resurgence of heavy wools, velvets, and darker, moodier palettes on the runway, echoing the Victorian literary roots of the source material.
- The Vulnerable Giant: A shift in male modeling casting toward figures who possess imposing physicality tempered by soft, emotional styling—a direct reflection of Elordi’s re-branding.
Elordi’s description of finding "violence and grace" in the role positions him to inherit the mantle of actors like Marlon Brando or Daniel Day-Lewis—men whose beauty was complicated by their willingness to distort it. For luxury houses like Bottega Veneta or Saint Laurent, who have previously courted Elordi, this signals a shift toward campaigns that are more cinematic and less commercial.
Marty Supreme: The Return of Mid-Century Polish
If Elordi brings the chaos, Paltrow brings the control. Her role in Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme—set in the high-stakes world of 1950s ping-pong and entertainment—places her in a milieu of sharp dialogue and even sharper tailoring. Playing a "seasoned movie star" opposite Timothée Chalamet’s prodigy, Paltrow is engaging in a meta-textual performance that leverages her own biography.
The Safdie brothers (and Josh solo) are known for a kinetic, anxious aesthetic, typically set in gritty contemporary environments. Transposing this energy to the 1950s creates a fascinating friction. Fashion-wise, this film is poised to trigger a revival of:
- Structured Femininity: The return of the "ladylike" silhouette—nipped waists, pencil skirts, and formidable outerwear—but styled with a neurotic, New York edge.
- Heritage Luxury: Expect brands like The Row, Prada, and Hermès to lean heavily into archival 1950s references, capitalizing on the film’s release.
- Clean Glamour: This aligns perfectly with Paltrow’s "Goop" aesthetic but elevates it. It is "quiet luxury" with a cinematic pedigree.
Paltrow’s return is not merely artistic; it is a brand alignment. By choosing a project with Safdie and A24 (or similar indie prestige distinct from major studios), she retains her credibility as a tastemaker who chooses quality over paycheck—a core tenet of the Goop philosophy.
The Strategic Business of Awards Season
While framed as a casual conversation about craft, Variety’s "Actors on Actors" is the opening salvo of the awards season campaign. The timing is precise. By pairing Elordi with an Oscar winner, the industry machinery is subtly telling voters that his performance in Frankenstein is award-worthy. It legitimizes him before the film is even widely seen.
For Paltrow, the strategy is dual-purpose. It reminds the public of her acting prowess, separating her from the sometimes controversial headlines surrounding her wellness brand. A critically acclaimed performance in Marty Supreme refreshes her "cool factor," which inevitably drives sales down the funnel to her lifestyle products. It is a synergistic loop where high art fuels commercial equity.
Furthermore, the involvement of CNN in amplifying these clips demonstrates the widening scope of celebrity news. It is no longer just trade papers; it is mainstream news, signaling that the health of the film industry—and the stars that populate it—is a matter of broader cultural concern.
Timeline: The Arc of Two Icons
- 1999: Gwyneth Paltrow wins the Academy Award for Best Actress for Shakespeare in Love, cementing her status as the definitive "It Girl" of the millennium transition.
- 2008-2019: Paltrow launches Goop (2008) and transitions into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Pepper Potts, slowly reducing her output in auteur-driven cinema to focus on business.
- 2019: Jacob Elordi breaks out globally in HBO’s Euphoria, instantly becoming a Gen Z sex symbol and fashion favorite.
- 2023: Elordi stars in Priscilla and Saltburn, signaling a clear desire to work with auteur directors (Sofia Coppola, Emerald Fennell) and shedding his teen-drama skin.
- 2024-2025: Production wraps on Marty Supreme (Safdie) and Frankenstein (Del Toro). Paltrow ends her semi-retirement.
- Dec 2025: The Variety "Actors on Actors" conversation cements the narrative: The Queen returns, and the Prince is crowned.
Future Forecast: What This Means for 2026
Looking ahead, the cultural ripple effects of these two projects will be substantial. We predict a bifurcated trend in red carpet fashion for the 2026 awards season. On one hand, the Frankenstein influence will drive a trend of "dark romanticism"—expect lace, velvet, and sombre hues from male and female stars alike, moving away from the dopamine dressing of previous years.
Simultaneously, the Marty Supreme press tour will likely feature Timothée Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow in coordinated, hyper-referential 1950s looks. This will likely influence the Spring/Summer 2026 collections, with designers pivoting back to mid-century American sportswear and formal codes.
Ultimately, this conversation confirms that the "Movie Star" is not dead; it is merely evolving. The new model requires a delicate balance of accessibility (social media presence) and mystique (transformative roles). Elordi and Paltrow, from opposite ends of the generational spectrum, are proving that the most fashionable thing an actor can do in 2025 is simply to act—with intensity, with risk, and with style.
Written by Ara Ohanian for FAZ Fashion — fashion intelligence for the modern reader.
