'Gladiator II' commercial with Josh Allen to premiere during NFL opener
The Gladiator movie themed commercial starring Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen will premiere Thursday night on national television before and during the NFL kickoff game on NBC.
The Gladiator movie themed commercial starring Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen will premiere Thursday night on national television before and during the NFL kickoff game on NBC.
The three-minute commercial is part of a “Make Your Gameday Epic” campaign by Pepsi, using the “gridiron gladiators” to help open the NFL season and preview Paramount Pictures' "Gladiator II," which will be released in November.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen is ranked fourth among NFL players in total endorsement earnings for 2023 at $9 million and rising. Harry Scull Jr., News file photo
Allen battles with fellow NFL stars Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings and Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens for Empress Megan Thee Stallion’s favor and a sip of Pepsi, a longtime partner of the NFL.
It is all set to a fresh twist on the classic anthem “We Will Rock You” by three-time Grammy award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion
The advertisement is the latest evidence of Allen's growing popularity as a corporate pitchman. He is not only a good fit for the movie spot, considering Allen’s imposing 6-foot, 5-inch height, rough running style, big arm and ability to leap defenders, but it also continues to show how his marketability is in the same league as some of the league's other top stars.
Allen is ranked fourth among NFL players in total endorsement earnings for 2023 at $9 million and rising, according to estimates by Sportico.
He is now connected to some of the biggest names in corporate money and advertising dollars, signing deals with Pepsi Co/Gatorade, Nike, New Era, Gillette, Frito Lay and Verizon. Last year, Allen first signed a multiyear partnership with PepsiCo, supporting brands across the national portfolio.
The latest spot opens with actors Lamorne Morris and Jake Lacy peering into a can of Pepsi Zero Sugar as it transforms into a colosseum, where Allen and company do battle as gladiators. It ends with the colosseum turning into the Bills' stadium.
The commercial was filmed earlier this year in Canada.
"This gladiator-inspired campaign is a continuation of our brand's long history of being on the forefront of culture, collaborating with iconic artists and celebrating football,” said Jenny Danzi, head of brand marketing for Pepsi. "This seismic campaign captures the essence of the excitement and anticipation fans have for game day and delivers the kind of entertainment our audience has come to expect.”