On February 8, during Super Bowl LX, George Clooney appeared in his first-ever Super Bowl commercial, promoting a new offer from Grubhub. The 30-second ad aired Sunday and featured filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos as the director, adding a cinematic touch to the widely viewed event.
Concept and Creative Approach to the Advertisement
The commercial, titled Grubhub Will Eat the Fees, was set in an opulent environment where elegantly dressed guests enjoyed a formal dinner consisting entirely of takeout food. The ad climaxed with the arrival of the “final course,” symbolizing the delivery and service fees that Grubhub promised to eliminate on orders over $50 as a permanent benefit.
This concept was unique among Super Bowl commercials this year, partly due to the involvement of Lanthimos and the high-profile cast. The collaboration was designed to spotlight a new permanent policy from Grubhub, which stands out amid the competitive food delivery market.
Behind the Scenes Insights from Clooney and Lanthimos
Clooney expressed great enthusiasm about working with Lanthimos, emphasizing the director’s strong vision.
“When I heard Yorgos Lanthimos was directing his first Super Bowl spot for Grubhub, and they called and asked me to be a part of it, I was thrilled,”
Clooney shared in a pre-Super Bowl interview with PEOPLE. He added,
“He’s one of my favorite directors.”
Lanthimos described Clooney’s dedication to the commercial, stating that the actor treats a 30-second spot with the same intensity as a full-length film.
“We’re in this incredible castle with these terrific actors. He uses his same cameraman that he shoots every film with. He has a very clear point of view, and that carried all the way through,”
Lanthimos noted.
Public Reaction and Career Speculation Following the Ad
Following the broadcast, social media reactions varied, with some viewers criticizing Clooney’s choice to appear in a commercial. For example, one Twitter user remarked,
“George Clooney cannot be doing ‘GrubHub’ commercials.”
Another added,
“Just saw George Clooney on a GrubHub commercial. Guess that’s the only work he can get now. Go woke, go broke!”
Significance of the Ad and What It Could Mean for Clooney
Super Bowl ads often become cultural moments, with celebrities drawing attention to brands during one of the year’s most watched broadcasts. Clooney’s appearance in this Grubhub commercial, combined with Lanthimos’s creative direction, made this spot notable for merging film artistry with advertising.
However, the mixed public response has fueled discussions about celebrity endorsements and career trajectories, particularly for established actors like Clooney. As this debate continues, it remains to be seen how this ad will influence perceptions of him and whether it marks a significant shift in his film career or a strategic marketing collaboration.
