The newly-released Ford EcoSport commercial features Groot from Marvel Studios’ upcoming feature Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in the starring role of a wild ride in “Be the Guardian of Your Galaxy.” Directed by Bullitt director Peyton Reed for agency GTB, the spot centers on a young woman who receives a gift of a Groot figure from her boyfriend, launching a fantasy in which she and Groot – animated by Method Studios - escape enemies in a high-speed chase thanks to Groot’s advice and the Ford EcoSport…before being launched back into reality.

According to director Reed, “The biggest challenge of the project was balancing the action and effects with the comedy. Tone is crucial in a spot like this, especially when taking a character like Baby Groot out of the context of ‘Guardians’ and putting him into our world. I’ve always gravitated toward kinetic, visual comedy in my film work. More recently, with the Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man’ movies, I’ve been able to work on a much bigger canvas with extensive visual effects. The Ford spot was a perfect fit.”

 

^{Client: Ford}

^{Head of Ford Global Brand Entertainment: Alessandro F. Uzielli}

^{US Marketing Communications Manager: Lew Echlin}

^{Media Integration Manager-Utility Vehicles & Technology: Ginger Kasanic}

^{SUV Marketing Communications: Wendy King}

^{Brand Content and Communications Manager: Susan Venen-Bock}

^{Movie Production: Marvel Entertainment}

^{Director, Partnerships: Chris Lisciandro F}

^{ranchise & Promotional Partnerships Manager: Adam Davis}

^{Agency: GTB}

^{Executive Creative Director, Brand Content & Alliances: Carl Spresser}

^{Group Director, Brand Content & Alliances: Curt Jaksen}

^{SVP, Executive Creative Director - SUV: Eric McClellan}

^{ACD, Sr. Writer: Michael O’Connell}

^{Art Director: Katie Brandt}

^{Art Director: Susan Alinsangan}

^{VP Planning Director, Brand Content & Alliances: Tara Schaeffer}

^{Associate Planning Director, Brand Content & Alliances: Jacqueline Salliotte}

^{Senior Planner, Brand Content & Alliances: Imogen Venn}

^{Senior Producer: Mark Nicholas}

^{Production Company: Bullitt}

^{Director: Peyton Reed}

^{Executive Producer: Todd Makurath}

^{Executive Producer: Luke Ricci}

^{Head of Production: Jennifer Sprunger}

^{Producer: Geoff McLean}

^{Editorial: Arcade}

^{Editor: Paul Martinez}

^{Producer: Alexa Atkin}

^{VFX: Method Studios}

^{Producer: Pip Mal}

^{About Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”}

^{Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand.}

^{“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is written and directed by James Gunn and stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel as Baby Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Tommy Flanagan, Laura Haddock, with Sylvester Stallone, and Kurt Russell. Kevin Feige is producing, and Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Nikolas Korda and Stan Lee are the executive producers. Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” blasts into theaters on May 5, 2017.}

^{About Marvel Entertainment}

^{Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2017 MARVEL.}