Autoblog

Click for hi-res Fantasticar

Product placement and movies are inextricably tied together now, and as a result, films -- even good ones -- have moments that take on an infomercial quality because the branding is so in-your-face. The Ford-only Bahamian parking lot scene in Casino Royale comes immediately to mind (even more than the Ford Mondeo glamour sequence) as one of the more egregious examples of the last year. This Summer's multiplex slate is not lacking either. We're itching to see Transformers, but the heavy GM product placement on the Autobot side will clearly distract car geeks like us, and the final trailer for Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is a mite Dodge-heavy.

Back in March, we posted on how Dodge had scored placement in FF with the HEMI-powered Fantasticar, which flies, goes 550 mph, and can cruise at 30,000 feet (this is the commuter car we've all been waiting for). It also comes complete with Ram logos on the nose and seats, and even rocks a crosshair grille (you can't make this up). Well, the last line of the press release issued at the time (it's pasted after the jump) notes, "Also getting some screen time in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer are the Ram Mega Cab® and Durango."

Which is why the trailer had us laughing, as we'll show you.


Click image to enlarge

As you see here, the Thing is in the process of hoisting the aforementioned Mega Cab. You can tell it's one from the prominent Mega Cab badge above Ben Grimm's big rocky noggin. And look! A Durango! It'll be even more clear on a massive screen in your local gigundaplex, particularly when the film cuts to this:


Click image to enlarge

Too bad the new Grand Caravan wasn't ready in time for filming. The parties involved had to settle for one of the lame-duck models, as you can see in the above photo. Now, this is garden-variety placement that we're having fun with here. The Fantasticar, however, looks to be a better marketing platform than the Goodyear Blimp. After all, when it splits into 3 segments, each one has its own Ram badge. Very, very thorough stuff. See below:


Click to enlarge

To be fair, there are plenty of other cars that aren't Dodges in the flick. In the trailer, you see an older Jaguar XJ buy the farm, and since the setting is New York, there's no shortage of yellow Crown Vics. Still, when we go see FF this summer (it opens June 16), those Dodges are going to stick out as if they're on fire. Flame on, Johnny!

Gallery, embedded trailer, and Dodge press release follow. Click the "Read" link for a larger-sized trailer at apple.com.





PRESS RELEASE
Superheroes' Car Features Dodge Brand Characteristics

Certain to generate excitement this summer is an adventure movie with four superheroes who pilot a very limited edition new car that has some Dodge flavor.

The heroic quartet is the Fantastic Four – The Thing, Human Torch, Invisible Woman and Mr. Fantastic. They're starring in "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer," which Twentieth Century Fox releases June 15.

In the film, the Fantastic Four meet their greatest challenge yet, as the enigmatic, intergalactic herald, The Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to prepare if for destruction.

The vehicle of choice for the Fantastic Four is the one-of-a-kind Fantisticar. In the movie, it is capable of speeds of up to 550 mph and can reach an altitude of 30,000 ft. Fantisticar can separate into three sections. Each one has deployable wings and can maintain the same speed and performance as the entire craft. And it has a HEMI®.

Among the Dodge cues are the brand's signature crosshair grille and headlights. The Ram logo appears on the exterior and interior of the vehicle.

Also getting some screen time in "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" are the Ram Mega Cab® and Durango.