Tom Holland and Zendaya trolled the internet with fake engagement photos, but wait until you see who was actually in them

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson trolled the internet with hilariously fake engagement photos this week. The duo released a formal engagement announcement in the Boston Globe to promote their upcoming A24 film “The Drama,” arriving April 3, 2026. Fans immediately fell for the stunt before realizing it was pure marketing genius.

The Bachelor-Style Stunt That Confused Everyone

The Boston Globe engagement announcement completely caught fans off guard when it dropped on December 9. Readers saw what appeared to be a legitimate notice declaring the engagement of two beloved Hollywood stars.

One Instagram user commented: “Batman stealing spideys girl was NOT on the 2025 bingo card.” Another added, “My first reaction, ‘that’s not Tom Holland!'” The confusion was immediate and hilarious, as fans initially believed the announcement was real.

Why the Boston Globe Agreed to the Prank

According to a Globe source, the newspaper only agreed to host the fake notice because the romantic comedy is set in Boston and was filmed on location there. This geographic tie-in made the promotional stunt feel more authentic to the publication’s readers.

The A24 film marketing team clearly understood their audience’s love of surprises. By placing the announcement in a trusted publication rather than just social media, they amplified the shock value significantly.

Movie Details: What “The Drama” Is All About

Detail	Information
Director	Kristoffer Borgli
Release Date	April 3, 2026
Studio	A24
Zendaya Character	Emma Harwood, bookstore clerk from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Plot	An engaged couple navigating romance that goes off the rails

“The Drama” follows an engaged couple whose seemingly perfect relationship takes unexpected turns throughout their wedding week. Pattinson and Zendaya play characters caught in the chaos, creating a romantic comedy that promises both laughs and unexpected twists.

Celebrity Reactions to the Promo Stunt

The internet erupted with mixed reactions when the engagement photos first surfaced online. Some fans expressed excitement about the rumored coupling, while savvy observers quickly realized this was promotional material for something bigger.

“I can’t believe they got people with that,” “Why does it just look like Pattinson and Zendaya, actually looks like it’s from an Instagram feed, not a movie,” commented fans on social media platforms.

— Social Media Users, Various platforms

Surprisingly, Tom Holland—who is actually engaged to Zendaya in real life—found the situation amusing. When asked by TMZ about the fake engagement announcement featuring his real-life fiancée, Holland confirmed they’re still together and seemingly took the marketing stunt in good humor.

Is This the Strangest Movie Promotion You’ve Ever Seen?

The fake engagement announcement represents one of the most creative and elaborate movie marketing campaigns of 2025. By placing a traditional engagement notice in a respected newspaper, A24 created genuine buzz and confusion that spread across social media organically.

This approach demonstrates how modern studios are willing to lean into unconventional promotional tactics to capture attention. Rather than traditional trailers or standard press releases, “The Drama” got people talking by making them believe two major stars were getting married—at least for a few minutes before the truth emerged.

Sources

• ABC News – Official coverage of the fake engagement announcement
• New York Post – Details about the Boston Globe publication of the notice
• Harper’s Bazaar – Cast information and film details for “The Drama”