A pop culture phenomenon continues two decades later.
On September 5, Pepsi welcomed the football season with the release of a star-studded commercial for the upcoming blockbuster “Gladiator II.”
The short film, titled “Make Your Gameday Epic,” features rapper and singer Megan Thee Stallion, NFL players Travis Kelce, Josh Allen, Derrick Henry and Justin Jefferson, as well as “White Lotus” star Jake Lacy and “Fargo” star Lamorne Morris.
In the ad, Morris and Lacy discuss the Roman Empire in a sports bar before being magically transported to the world of gladiator combat – an ancient allegory for today’s football field.
An empress, played by Megan Thee Stallion, watches over gladiators Alan, Henry, Jefferson and Kelce and raps along to a version of Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” The athletes battle and outwit tigers before winning the prize: a refreshing can of Pepsi (of course).
Back in the “real world,” Kelce asks on a television screen, “Aren’t you entertained?” – a reference to Russell Crowe’s iconic line in the original film – ending the surreal three-minute commercial.
In a press release, Pepsi said the advertising comes with a number of extras: In addition to displays in stores and a talking can sweepstakes in early November, the brand has partnered with Fandango, where customers who purchase $20 worth of Pepsi products will be rewarded with a $10 Fandango movie ticket for “Gladiator II.”
The soft drink maker has also launched a portrait generation tool called “My Roman Empire,” which allows users to upload a selfie to become their own customized gladiator or Roman king.
Pepsi says customers can expect the ad to be shown on national television before and during the Chiefs-Ravens game. Megan Thee Stallion’s version of Queen’s iconic song is also available on Apple Music and other major streaming platforms.
The commercial is a sequel in more ways than one: After the original film “Gladiator” came out in 2000 and swept the Oscars, pop culture focused on the Roman Empire for a while.
Maybe that is why Pepsi launched its Original Gladiator-themed commercial featuring Britney Spears, Pink and Beyoncé performing their own version of the 1977 hit, including Enrique Iglesias watching over them as the emperor.
It may be surprising that the original ad was never broadcast on US television, according to Rolling Stone, but it became a cultural milestone nonetheless.
