Automakers will go to extreme lengths to ensure their vehicles are prominently featured in popular televisions shows and movie. Their efforts can include everything from giving directors a sneak peek at future models to simply out bidding the competition.
Considering product placement is so competitive, it’s interesting to learn that Ford didn’t want one of its models to play a role in a movie that made over $100 (£77.2 / €86.2) million. This tidbit of information was recently revealed by actor and comedian Seth Rogen who recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of Pineapple Express by revealing details about the movie on Twitter.
According to Rogen, the original plan called for one of the bad guys – Matheson played by Craig Robinson – to be killed by a Ford Fiesta. However, the automaker wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea that one of their products would be shown killing someone.
In #PineappleExpress, originally, Red killed Matheson with a Ford Fiesta, but Ford didn’t want their car involved in a movie murder so we had to change it to a Daewoo Lanos, which is ultimately much funnier I think.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) August 6, 2018
Since the Fiesta was out of the question, the car was changed to a Daewoo Lanos. While the change was relatively small, Rogen said he thinks it was for the better as the scene is “ultimately much funnier.”
It’s hard to argue with Rogen’s belief and most people probably don’t even remember the Lanos even existed. Despite the car’s brief brush with fame, the Lanos has remained as unloved as ever and hasn’t experienced anything like the growing valuations seen in models featured in the Fast and Furious franchise.
While Ford skipped on the Pineapple Express, it hasn’t shied away from product placements. A few years ago, the company partnered with Fox with to ensure models such as the Explorer and Mustang were prominently featured in the X-Files.