Pepsi is set to launch its "Make Your Gameday Epic" campaign, featuring the talented rapper Megan Thee Stallion alongside NFL superstars, to kickstart the new NFL season. The campaign marks the return of the iconic song "We Will Rock You" by Queen and is tied to the highly anticipated Paramount sequel to Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott.

In this star-studded campaign, Megan Thee Stallion takes on the role of Empress Megan, while NFL players Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson, and Travis Kelce transform into Gridiron Gladiators. The commercial will showcase an epic battle between the Gridiron Gladiators and Pepsi, with Megan Thee Stallion at the heart of the action.

The advertisement also features well-known personalities such as Lamorne Morris from Saturday Night and Jake Lacy from the upcoming series Apples Never Fall. The energetic commercial, with new lyrics written and performed by Megan, will make its debut during the 2024 VMAs on September 11. The music video-inspired spot will air throughout the show, giving viewers a taste of Megan Thee Stallion's unique take on "We Will Rock You."

Megan Thee Stallion expressed her gratitude and excitement about being a part of the Gladiator campaign, following in the footsteps of legendary artists who appeared in the original Pepsi commercial 20 years ago. She remarked, "Pepsi really brought the worlds of music, sports, and entertainment together in a powerful way to set off the new NFL season. It was fun putting my creative flip on such an iconic Queen song, and I can't wait for the Hotties to hear it!"

Inspired by the upcoming Gladiator II film and its predecessor, the "Make Your Gameday Epic" campaign was produced by Ridley Scott Associates and Paramount Brand Studio, and directed by Jake Scott in collaboration with Paramount Pictures. Jake Scott shared his excitement about creating a visual spectacle that captured the energy and intensity of the sport, while also paying homage to the iconic film and the original Pepsi campaign.

Marc Weinstock, Paramount Pictures' President of Worldwide Marketing & Distribution, expressed his enthusiasm for the expansive collaborative effort, stating, "A film of this scope calls for a truly epic campaign, and we can think of no more fitting collaboration than with one of the most iconic brands in the world."

Jenny Danzi, Head of Brand Marketing at Pepsi, emphasized that this gladiator-inspired campaign reinforces the brand's commitment to culture and celebrates football. She mentioned that consumers will come across the campaign everywhere they shop, building anticipation for the upcoming gameday experience.

Alongside the commercial, the Gladiator II Pepsi campaign offers exciting interactive elements for fans. They can use the "My Roman Empire" Portrait Generator Tool to imagine themselves as Gladiators or Roman Royalty by uploading a selfie at PepsiRomanEmpire.com. Additionally, a limited line of collector Talking Cans featuring the Pepsi Gladiator talent, with built-in Augmented Reality capabilities, will hit store shelves in early November. These cans will allow consumers to experience the characters coming to life through content captured on-set. Furthermore, consumers who purchase $20 worth of Pepsi products will have the opportunity to receive a $10 million movie reward towards a Gladiator II ticket through Fandango.

With the collaboration of Pepsi, Megan Thee Stallion, NFL superstars, and the creative minds behind the Gladiator II campaign, this remarkable marketing program promises to captivate audiences as they gear up for an epic NFL season filled with football, food, and ice-cold Pepsi.