That Harrison Ford Super Bowl Ad Apparently Almost Didn’t Happen, And The Director Explained What Won The Star Wars Actor Over

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Yesterday, numerous people worldwide watched Super Bowl LIX. While some might have been rooting for one team or another, many others were probably just tuning in for the commercials. The advertisements during the Super Bowl have grown to be nearly as significant as the game itself, and this year was no different. However, one of the more unexpected ads aired towards the end of the game, showcasing Harrison Ford.

As a movie enthusiast, let me share an unexpected moment that left me quite startled during the broadcast: The rare appearance of Harrison Ford in a U.S. television commercial was undeniably one of the night’s most striking instances for me. It seemed that I wasn’t alone in my surprise, as it appeared even the creators behind the car advertisement were taken aback by his involvement – almost to the point where it didn’t materialize at all.

Jeep’s Super Bowl Ad Was Almost Very Different, and Harrison Ford Wasn’t Interested

The Jeep advertisement was crafted by Francois Oliver, who has a history of creating ads for the Super Bowl. He recently shared with Variety that he received the task to produce a Jeep ad just a few weeks prior, and due to the tight deadline and lack of available airtime on Fox, there wasn’t room for another advertisement. As Jeep has often used celebrities in their Super Bowl ads, they requested one again. This prompted Oliver to utilize an existing concept for the advertisement.

Originally, the advertisement was significantly funnier. The newcomer, Ford, who had joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), was not believed to be the ideal fit for the ad. However, the concept had been pitched to Ford, and he consented to a meeting. Yet, during the initial conference call, Ford himself was not present. Instead, one of his representatives attended to inform the team that Ford showed no interest. Reportedly, the representative stated…

He’s more of a non-advertising person. He simply doesn’t engage in that kind of work. Money isn’t a necessity for him, and his schedule is packed, so it’s safe to say that this particular event or project won’t materialize.

As it transpired, I’m glad Oliver disagreed with Ford about the initial concept, for he had a fallback plan in place all along.

To my relief, it proved beneficial that Oliver didn’t side with Ford on the original idea, as he had already prepared an alternative.

A Change In Tone Convinced Harrison Ford To Sign On

As an admirer looking into this situation, Francois Oliver found himself pondering on an alternate notion. Despite initially considering Ford suitable for the comedy advertisement, he’d been subtly brewing a fresh concept in his mind. This new idea revolved around Ford imparting his wisdom, with a focus on themes of freedom and adventure that resonated deeply with the Jeep brand.

According to Olivier, he suggested the phrase “opt for what brings you joy,” which noticeably shifted the tone of the discussion. Ford ultimately decided to proceed with the advertisement. Feel free to see the final outcome down below.

This advertisement is truly fitting for the iconic Harrison Ford image we’re accustomed to, and it’s solidly crafted. While the themes may not explicitly link to Jeep sales, they could subtly influence viewers to think more about the Jeep vehicles.

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2025-02-10 20:37