Why Not an EV?

The Reckoning • Documentary • Viva Las Vengeance • Guzman of the Dead 420 • NFT of the Dead • Making of • Zombicide • WrestleMania • Soundtrack • In or Out • **Why Not an EV?**

## Why Not an EV?

### Genre

Advertisement
Promotional

### Language

English

"**Why Not an EV?**" is a commercial campaign put together to announce a partnership between Netflix and General Motors as well as to promote GM's new electric vehicles and several Netflix properties. The Armyverse was the primary franchise presented by the commercials.

While the *Army of the Dead* portions of the commercials take place in the setting of the movie, they're considered non-canon due to meta commentary and incompatible zombie behavior.

## Summary

### "Why Not an EV? - Directions"

"Directions", released on February 2, 2023, was the first commercial released for the campaign. It featured Will Ferrell driving up to a zombie and asking for directions in the destroyed city of Las Vegas. When the zombie failed to answer, Ferrell decided to find his way on his own, insulting the zombie under his breath. This commercial teased the full-length commercial that would later air during the Super Bowl and had its own, separate plot.

### "Why Not an EV?"

General Motors released the 60-second "Why Not an EV?" on February 7 ahead of the Super Bowl on the 12th. The Armyverse was heavily featured in the commercial, starting and finishing it. Will Ferrell started by explaining the plan - that Netflix media would be featuring General Motors' latest line of electric vehicles in their upcoming releases. This was done with the backdrop of the apocalyptic city of Las Vegas, with a zombie (portrayed by Gordon Tarpley III), biting into Ferrell's hand and Ferrell implying GM EVs would appear in the Armyverse. *Squid Game* was referenced next, implying the EVs would show up in the second season, followed by *Bridgerton* and *Stranger Things*, which would not feature the vehicles due to their pre-electric-vehicle time period. *Queer Eye* followed with another *Squid Game* appearance, both to have EVs in their upcoming seasons. Finally, the focus returned to zombie-run Vegas, where Ferrell had succumbed to his zombie bite and become a shambler, though he was still able to drive the Sierra EV and befriend Gordon, the zombie that bit him. *Army of the Dead* consumed more than 40% of the commercial's total screen time.

A 30-second version of this commercial was also released with minor dialogue changes.

Why Not an EV?Why Not an EV? - Feb 12 - GM x Netflix
### "Why Not an EV? - Engaged"

A third commercial, released on February 11, 2023, featured zombie Will and Gordon driving through Vegas in the Sierra EV. They were having a conversation in which Gordon, through grunts, communicated with Will that he was in Vegas to get married. The commercial was 10 seconds long.

## Appearances

A crowd of zombies can be seen in the Armyverse portions of the commercials, but there are only two characters of note. Will, portrayed by Will Ferrell, and Gordon, the zombie who bites him. Gordon Tarpley III returned from his previous portrayal of shamblers in *Army of the Dead* to play the zombie that shares his name.

Will FerrellGordon

## Production

First reported by *The Hollywood Reporter*, *Army of the Dead* was one of several Netflix properties presented in the "Why Not an EV?" commercial. The commercial was created for the 2023 Super Bowl and featured a new partnership between General Motors and Netflix presented by Will Ferrell. Ferrell drove various GM EVs through Netflix originals and announced the inclusion of EVs in the future of some of those franchises. *Army of the Dead* was treated as the main franchise presented, appearing both as the most prominent franchise in the main commercial as well as receiving two commercials of its own as part of the campaign. The electric truck featured in all three commercials was a Sierra EV.

Joining Ferrell in the commercials was Gordon Tarpley III portraying a zombie. Fractured FX did the practical effects for the Armyverse portions of the commercials, while Framestore did VFX for the same portions, the latter having worked on *Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas*. The campaign was directed by David Shane, who utilized the same custom lenses that Zack Snyder did when filming *Army of the Dead* to recreate the same feel. Aron Hjartarson and Vicky Osborn, the executive creative director and creative director of Framestore, respectively, worked heavily with Shane to develop the Armyverse portion of the commercial.

Fractured FX was nominated for Best Make-Up in a Commercial or Music Video award from the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylist Guild for their work on the commercial.

## References

1. ↑ "Netflix to Feature General Motors EVs In TV Shows and Movies In Deal That Kicks Off at Super Bowl" via *The Hollywood Reporter*
2. ↑ Gordon Tarpley confirms his involvement in the General Motors commercial via Instagram