How Much is DirecTV Paying Stars Like Naomi Watts to Shill for Them?

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It's funny, the straw that broke this camel's back when it came to DirecTV's current ad campaign (which inserts movie stars back into the footage of their iconic roles -- only this time, instead of reciting their characters' famous dialogue, they're exhorting the viewer to buy satellite service). When Sigourney Weaver reprised Ellen Ripley for an ad, I bit my lip. When Kathy Bates turned Misery into a commercial, I furrowed my brow. Still, it wasn't until the latest DirecTV ad -- and perhaps the least inconsequential exhuming, on its face -- that I realized I'd hit my limit.

This time, it's Peter Jackson's distended remake of King Kong that's getting the DirecTV treatment, and it's Naomi Watts who's returned to do the honors. The result is a commercial that's as unnecessary as the movie it's a takeoff of.

The thing is, these ads must be costing a fortune; the actors, screen rights, and special effects can't be coming cheap. With that in mind, maybe it's time to call this particular ad campaign a night. It was bad enough when the classics were being reanimated for these commercials -- does anyone want to see things keep degenerating to the point where Freddie Prinze Jr is digitally reinserted into Summer Catch, or Lea Thompson pitches special signup packages from the set of Howard the Duck?

· Naomi Watts Returns to 'King Kong' [Movienewz]



Comments

  • metroville says:

    DirecTV's implied reverence for films as arbitrary as the King Kong remake and Twister are reminiscent of TNT's indiscriminate "New Classics" campaign--which counts Failure to Launch among its canon.

  • gwendemarco says:

    Personally, I want to see Bullock and Grant re-enact the Bullock explosive shit storm in a motor home scene from Two Weeks Notice. It's why I got into the business.

  • Lowbrow says:

    I think an appropriate coup de grâce for this advertising campaign would be for Jennifer Connelly to reprise her role of Marion Silver in Requiem for a Dream. Amidst the chanting of "ass-to-ass*" by spectators, Jennifer will turn to viewers and tout the perks of DirecTV.
    *Double-headed dildos will receive some free publicity by proxy.

  • Dimo says:

    How about Ned Betty in mid-squeal from Deliverance? Or Jennifer Connelly in Requium For a Dream...You know what scene I mean. I have such a potty mind today.

  • sweetbiscuit says:

    You can't put a post titled "How Much is DirecTV Paying Stars Like Naomi Watts to Shill for Them?" under a category called "Burning Questions" and not at least attempt to name a figure, based on some insider info. I mean, would Naomi do it for $5 mill? 10? Whaddaya think?

  • PJ says:

    I love these commercials, personally. I hope that they're paying a ton. It's fun to see the stars re-creating some iconic roles.

  • Dimo says:

    I posted something very similar to Jennifer Connelly in Requiem, but they didn't put it up. Don't know why...perhaps yours was more eloquent. At least great minds think alike!

  • Lee says:

    C'mon people... lighten up a little. It's a really cute commercial. I enjoyed the movie and I enjoyed this partifcular scene from the movie and I enjoyed this commercial. Anyhow, who could get tired of gazing at Naomi Watts?