Bill Murray is back as Peter Venkman, Slimer is on the loose, and the Ghostbusters have a new ride. Sure hope they left the onions off that pizza.
Rivian has teamed up with Sony Pictures for a new Ghostbusters commercial that puts Venkman behind the wheel of the Ecto-R1, a custom version of the company’s all-electric R1S SUV.
Titled “Answering the Call,” the spot brings Venkman back for another encounter with the infamous green ghost, who has apparently found himself a new place to cause trouble. Slimer tears through a suburban home while the lights flicker, prompting Venkman to arrive in his new ghost-busting vehicle and take care of business.
The commercial was directed by Gil Kenan, who co-wrote Ghostbusters: Afterlife and directed Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Bob Industries produced the spot.
The Ecto-R1 takes inspiration from the iconic Ecto-1, with a custom exterior designed to give Rivian’s electric SUV a distinctly Ghostbusters look. But the collaboration goes beyond a single commercial.
Rivian is also bringing Ghostbusters to its vehicles with a Halloween software experience. With the press of a button, Halloween mode adds eerie lighting, familiar sounds and special effects that transform the driving experience into something more appropriate for a night of supernatural activity. The update is available across Rivian vehicles, with the Halloween experience running through November 1.
For longtime Ghostbusters fans, seeing Bill Murray slip back into Venkman’s shoes is a welcome surprise. The actor has reprised the character in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and this latest appearance gives him another opportunity to cross paths with Slimer without requiring another feature film.
And while the Ecto-R1 may be electric, it looks ready to answer the call whenever a ghost decides to make a mess of somebody’s kitchen.
The commercial is available to watch now, and Rivian is encouraging fans to visit a nearby location to see the Halloween experience in action.
