Travis Kelce and other football stars dressed as Roman gladiators in Pepsi’s new campaign, hours before the Kansas City Chiefs kick off the NFL season.
Pepsi filmed the commercial to promote the upcoming film Gladiator II, which stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Connie Nielsen raising their swords several decades after the events of the first film in ancient Rome.
The popular drink decided to take advantage of the upcoming movie release with the NFL season, which begins Thursday night with the Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.
Appearing alongside Kelce in the commercial are Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Ravens running back Derrick Henry and Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
The ad also features rapper Megan Thee Stallion as the Empress releasing tigers into the arena with the athletes.
Travis Kelce dressed as a Roman gladiator in the latest Pepsi and NFL campaign
The three-minute commercial begins with two fans sitting at a bar, discussing their fantasy football teams and naming the four aforementioned players on their rosters.
After placing down their drinks, fans begin to hear the iconic “stomp, stomp, clap” from Queen’s “We Will Rock You” before the rim of a Pepsi can transforms into a coliseum.
Kelce, Allen, Henry and Jefferson emerged from the tunnel with their armor and shields on as a crowd erupted. After Kelce shouted “Are you ready?” Megan Thee Stallion demanded silence and for the doors to be opened to let the Tigers out.
The four then used football-like moves to fend off the big cats as the Empress began singing a rap version of Queen’s classic anthem.
The commercial was made to promote the upcoming film Gladiator II starring Paul Mescal.
Megan Thee Stallion played the Empress and performed a rap version of ‘We Will Rock You’
Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Ravens running back Derrick Henry and Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson joined Kelce
After tricking the final beast into falling, Megan descended into the circle, grabbed a Pepsi, and exclaimed, “Let game day begin” as everyone in attendance raised their drinks.
Pepsi is no stranger to gladiator-themed commercials.
In 2004, pop stars Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Pink starred in an ad featuring their version of We Will Rock You. Singer Enrique Iglesias played the role of the Emperor who was thrown into the lions’ den.
The classic commercial aired during the 2004 Super Bowl between the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots.