Arnold Schwarzenegger, the headliner for a fiery reveal of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon at the 2018 Detroit auto show, is upgrading his pyrotechnic powers by playing Zeus, the Greek god of lightning, in a Super Bowl commercial for rival BMW.
The actor and former California governor will be joined by Salma Hayek Pinault as Hera, the mythological wife of Zeus and goddess of marriage. The 60-second spot will run in the first quarter.
A teaser released last week takes place in a setting that is not at all mythic: the inside of a coffee shop. A barista botches Zeus’ name as Schwarzenegger, in full Zeus gear, walks to the counter to retrieve his drink.
The lightning reference fits BMW’s intention to plug an electric vehicle in the commercial, although the automaker did not disclose which model will be featured. BMW, which last advertised in the Super Bowl in 2015, is debuting two EVs next month: the iX and i4.
Mercedes brought Schwarzenegger to Detroit to help launch its redesigned 2019 G-Class. After then-Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche interviewed the actor about his love for the boxy ultraluxe SUV, Schwarzenegger put the automaker’s chief on the spot and asked him when the fuel-thirsty G-Class would go electric. Zetsche’s answer then? “Stay tuned.”