Daily Slideshow: Black Panther Crashes the Superbowl
The "other" stars of the upcoming Black Panther flick make an extended appearance with a killer soundtrack.
1. Long Live the King
Lexus made a splash at the 2017 SEMA show by rolling out a pair of special LC models inspired by Marvel Studio's latest comic book adaptation flick, Black Panther. They also announced that a specially modified LC 500 would be starring in the film, which hits U.S. theaters on February 16. But now they're taking this marriage made in heaven to the next level with an all-new, extended commercial set to hit millions of TV sets during this year's Super Bowl.
2. Lexus for Every Occasion
In this latest advert, dubbed “Long Live the King,” we get to once again see the LC in action. But it isn't the only Lexus to make an appearance, and it isn't even the focal point. Instead, the new commercial also pairs the Lexus LS 500 F SPORT with the Black Panther, played by Chadwick Boseman. The story revolves around the character of T’Challa in his role as Black Panther recovering stolen vibranium, the mythical ore found only in the Black Panther’s home of Wakanda, and his nearly simultaneous need to represent his country as king at a world leadership conference.
3. Power and Luxury
After using his powerful LC to snag the stolen ore, the Black Panther "hops" in his LS and clocks into his other job. The idea behind the spot is that the Lexus LS 500 F SPORT is the only vehicle both powerful and luxurious enough to keep pace with a Super Hero and escort a king. Throw in appearances by the country’s elite bodyguards, the Dora Milaje, and unexpected help from Wakanda, and you've got a spot that fans of the comic and movie will undoubtedly appreciate.
4. Match Made in Heaven
And there's the rub - both the Black Panther and the Lexus LS possess dual personalities. “There is an authentic match between the duality of both the Black Panther and the LS. The spot utilizes the Black Panther’s life as a Super Hero and as royalty to show the two sides of the LS: performance and luxury,” said Cooper Ericksen, Lexus vice president of marketing. “The stars aligned for this Super Bowl spot, with Lexus launching our flagship sedan and audiences primed for Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated release ‘Black Panther.’ Uniting LS with Black Panther on advertising’s biggest stage was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”
5. Super Bowl, Super Commercial
Throw in killer beats courtesy of “Legend Has It” by Run the Jewels, and you've got a recipe for a winning spot. The commercial features actual footage from the film combined with new shots using original costumes and gear. And yet, it all meshes together perfectly. “This spot feels beautifully cinematic from start to finish,” said Mindy Hamilton, Marvel’s senior vice president of global partnerships and marketing. “With a character as important as Black Panther and a brand as iconic as Lexus, we knew that we had to rise to the occasion by creating something unforgettable. It’s a climactic moment for all of us as we come together to celebrate this wonderful collaboration and enjoy the big game.”
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