PEPSI® KICKS OFF 2024 NFL SEASON WITH COLOSSAL CAMPAIGN INSPIRED BY PARAMOUNT PICTURES’ UPCOMING “GLADIATOR II”, STARRING MEGAN THEE STALLION AND NFL SUPERSTARS JOSH ALLEN, DERRICK HENRY, JUSTIN JEFFERSON, AND TRAVIS KELCE

“Make Your Gameday Epic™” features a new gameday anthem, “We Will Rock You (Megan Thee Stallion Version),” available now on all streaming platforms.

BY Jason Pena

Nearly two decades after the Pepsi® “Roman Empire” campaign dominated pop culture, the brand is back in the arena with a Gladiator-themed rollout dubbed “Make Your Gameday Epic™.” This epic revival pairs the buzz of the 2024 NFL season with the anticipation for Paramount Pictures’ “Gladiator II,” set to hit theaters on November 22. At the heart of this electrifying campaign is a short film featuring none other than Megan Thee Stallion as Empress Megan, leading an all-star cast of NFL gladiators, including Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson, and Travis Kelce, with ice-cold Pepsi at the center of the action.

But here’s where it gets real for music heads: Megan Thee Stallion’s new gameday anthem, a fiery remix of Queen’s iconic “We Will Rock You,” sets the tone for the campaign. With fresh bars laid over that unmistakable “boom, boom, clap,” Megan’s track is a force of its own. It’s already available across major streaming platforms, and it’s dropping just in time for Megan’s hosting gig at the 2024 VMAs on September 11. Expect this track, along with a music video-inspired spot, to light up the VMAs like no other. “I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of legends who were part of the original Gladiator campaign, but I’m even more proud to have carved my own legacy,” Megan said. “Pepsi brought the worlds of music, sports, and entertainment together for this NFL season kickoff, and flipping the iconic Queen song was a blast. I can’t wait for the Hotties to hear it!”

The campaign draws heavy inspiration from “Gladiator II” and its predecessor, blending cinematic vibes with the adrenaline of sports. Produced by Ridley Scott Associates and Paramount Brand Studio, and directed by Jake Scott, the campaign opens with Lamorne Morris and Jake Lacy staring into a Pepsi Zero Sugar can, which morphs into a full-on colosseum. Inside, Empress Megan commands her gridiron gladiators as they fight for glory — and a sip of that ice-cold Pepsi.

“Bringing the epic world of Gladiator II to life in a modern, high-energy way was incredibly exciting,” said Jake Scott. “We wanted to capture the intensity of the sport and pay homage to the iconic film and Pepsi campaign from 20 years ago.”

Paramount Pictures’ President of Worldwide Marketing & Distribution, Marc Weinstock, also weighed in, calling it one of the biggest promotional programs in Paramount’s history. “A film of this magnitude calls for a legendary campaign, and working with an iconic brand like Pepsi made it even more unforgettable.”

Between the heavy-hitting NFL stars and Megan’s new anthem, Pepsi’s ready to own the season — on the field and on the airwaves.