Megan Thee Stallion and NFL Stars Make Pepsi’s Gladiator Ad Legendary

Pepsi has kicked off the 2024 NFL season with a jaw-dropping campaign inspired by Paramount Pictures’ “Gladiator II“. Starring Megan Thee Stallion as Empress Megan and featuring NFL icons like Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson, and Travis Kelce, this spot aims to make the game day as epic as a Roman coliseum showdown. The ad is a follow-up to Pepsi leaning on nostalgia here, bringing back the 2004 Pepsi Gladiator ad ft. Beyonce, Britney Spears, and Pink Rock from 20 years ago, but does it live up to the hype, or is it more sizzle than substance?

Creative Concept: Gladiators, Pop Stars, and Football Heroes

In true Pepsi fashion, this ad goes big—big. From a colossal coliseum to a legendary roster of NFL players turned gridiron gladiators, the commercial packs a visual punch. Megan Thee Stallion’s role as Empress Megan is front and center, commanding the battlefield while delivering a new gameday anthem. It’s an intriguing blend of music, sports, and pop culture, taking full advantage of Pepsi’s partnership with the NFL and Paramount Pictures’ anticipated “Gladiator II.” But does the gladiator theme feel forced? It’s impressive but borders on being gimmicky—especially for a soft drink ad.

Star Power: Megan Thee Stallion and NFL Royalty

Megan Thee Stallion‘s larger-than-life persona fits perfectly into this over-the-top commercial. Her new track, a reimagining of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” adds an energetic anthem to the spot. While Megan’s Hotties might love seeing her command a legion of NFL stars, her presence could overshadow the actual product—Pepsi. Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson, and Travis Kelce deliver in their gladiatorial roles, but you can’t help but wonder if their appearance is more for show than substance.

Nostalgia Factor: Does It Match the Original?

Pepsi is clearly leaning on nostalgia here, bringing back the Gladiator Ad after 20 years. The original Roman Empire commercial was iconic, but recreating that magic is a tall order. While this ad taps into the same themes, it feels more like a high-budget spectacle than a timeless classic. Still, it does manage to get football fans pumped for the season with its energy and explosive visuals.

Production and Visuals: A Spectacle Fit for a Colosseum

Directed by Jake Scott, son of Ridley Scott, the ad is cinematic in scale. The CGI-heavy transformation of a Pepsi can into a Roman colosseum is visually striking. The production values are top-tier, and the partnership with Paramount Pictures is undoubtedly helpful. However, for all its visual grandeur, the narrative feels thin. Sure, we get gladiators and a thirst for Pepsi, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that, at its core, this is a soda addressed in Hollywood armor.

Music: Megan’s New Anthem Hits Hard

One of the campaign’s highlights is Megan Thee Stallion’s remix of Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” The familiar “boom, boom, clap” gets a fresh update, and the new lyrics have a fiery edge that matches the gladiatorial theme. As a standalone track, it will make waves—especially with Megan hosting the 2024 VMAs, where this campaign will have prime visibility. The music choice is smart, leveraging nostalgia while injecting modern flair, but the real question is whether people will remember the song more than the product it’s trying to sell.

Pepsi Gladiator Ad Pros:

• Star Power: Megan Thee Stallion and NFL players elevate the campaign.
• High Production Value: Visually stunning and cinematic, thanks to Jake Scott’s direction.
• Music: The anthem is a powerful hook, giving the ad an energetic pulse.

Pepsi Gladiator Ad Cons:

• Overkill: The gladiator theme, while flashy, feels disconnected from the product.
• Overshadowed Product: Pepsi feels like a prop in its ad, with Megan and the NFL stars taking center stage.
• Nostalgia Overload: Recreating a 20-year-old campaign could feel stale for younger audiences.

Cultural Impact: Where Music, Sports, and Hollywood Meet

This campaign highlights Pepsi’s knack for merging pop culture moments, tapping into the NFL’s excitement, Gladiator’s legacy, and Megan Thee Stallion’s star power. The music, the visuals, the hype—it’s all there. But does it resonate deeply with today’s audience? It will undoubtedly hit the mark for die-hard NFL fans and Megan’s Hotties. However, for casual viewers, it might feel like an over-the-top spectacle with little staying power beyond its initial splash.

Conclusion: Epic or Just Extra?

Pepsi’s “Make Your Gameday Epic” campaign delivers on spectacle, music, and star power, but it might be trying too hard. The Gladiator theme feels like it’s more for the wow factor than any real connection to the product. While the production quality is undeniably impressive and Megan Thee Stallion shines, the ad risks overshadowing Pepsi. It’s fun, it’s flashy, but whether it becomes an iconic campaign like its predecessor remains to be seen.