Gladiator

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Jeep has taken full advantage of tonight's Super Bowl coinciding with Groundhog Day with something special and hilarious. For its new 60-second Super Bowl commercial, Jeep managed to sign up the one and only Bill Murray to reprise his role as disgruntled weatherman Phil Connors, a role he originated 27 years ago in 1993's "Groundhog Day," undoubtedly one of the greatest comedies of all time. And it's not only Murray returning to his character. Brian Doyle Murray and Stephen Tobolowsky reprise their roles as Buster Green and Ned Ryerson, respectively.

Once again, Phil Connors wakes up at 6:00 am to "I Got You Babe" by Sonny and Cher on Groundhog Day, reliving the day over and over (and over) again. But instead of the 1971 Chevy pickup truck getaway vehicle, Murray and the groundhog he just stole escape in a 2020 Jeep Gladiator.

To ensure authenticity to the original film, Jeep worked directly with Sony Pictures in this "return" to Punxsutawney. Many of the same locations in Woodstock, Illinois from the movie are featured, specifically the bed-and-breakfast, the Town Square where the Groundhog Festival is held, and even the restaurant where Phil Connors toasts to "world peace."

Turns out this is only the second time in the Super Bowl's 54 years it's fallen on Groundhog Day. Jeep simply couldn't let this go to waste.

"In my wildest dreams, any advertiser's dream, really, could you dare to believe that Bill Murray would agree to be in your Super Bowl commercial, and on top of that, ask him to relive his iconic role in 'Groundhog Day'?," said Olivier Francois, FCA Chief Marketing Officer.

Murray, known to pick his projects extremely carefully, has never before starred in a television commercial, though don't expect him to do more. "This is my first commercial. I'm glad I did it with you (Jeep)," he said. "And I'm glad that this is my last commercial, as well."