Photo: Ford Motor Company
Ford is on a mission to show that electric vehicles can be fun to drive, powerful, capable, and, maybe, just maybe, a little bit sexy. To promotes that latter point, Ford turns to none other than Idris Elba, People’s reigning and defending Sexiest Man Alive (at least until probably the end of the month when the crown is passed to the too-long-overlooked Michael Ironside).
Elba will help Ford introduce the world to the all-new Mustang-inspired electric SUV on Nov. 17. Elba has a surprisingly storied history with Ford — he worked at the automaker’s Dagenham, UK, manufacturing plant in the 1980s before he became famous the world over for his roles in Luther and The Wire (less so for No Good Deed) and everyone’s favorite dream choice for the next James Bond.
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“Most people don’t know this, but I worked at Ford as a young guy,” Elba said. “My dad also worked at Ford. It’s practically in my blood. So working on this project and getting behind the wheel of a car that takes us all towards the future feels like things are coming full circle, but with more exhilaration and tech.”
Can’t hear this in anything but Elba’s sultry baritone and rich accent. If anyone could make text sexy, it’s Idris.
According to Automotive News, Ford will have Idris Elba will be on hand for the reveal proper on Nov. 17 in Los Angeles. He’ll also star in a global integrated marketing campaign from BBDO, Ford’s head global creative agency. Ford product marketing manager Andy Georgescu told Auto News that Elba was the choice for the campaign because he can “really effectively tell the story in whatever role he plays.” Speaking of, be sure to check out the nightmare that is Cats this holiday season.
In a fun note, Elba now joins Matthew McConaughey as spokesmen under the Ford umbrella. That means that Roland Deschain and the Man in Black continue their inextricable connection and timeless battle beyond The Dark Tower universe. Or at least it would if The Dark Tower wasn’t an unmitigated bomb that killed any and all franchise potential.
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Kyle S. Johnson lives in Cincinnati, a city known by many as “the Cincinnati of Southwest Ohio.” He enjoys professional wrestling, Halloween, and also other things. He has been writing for a while, and he plans to continue to write well into the future. See more articles by Kyle.