Apple Debuts New Commercial Starring Star Wars Fans
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Sometimes, a Mandalorian could use a little help finding their clan. That’s the story told in a new commercial from Apple and Lucasfilm for the iPhone 15 “Precision Finding for Find My Friends” feature.
Directed by Kim Gehrig and debuting in time for Star Wars Day, the clever spot follows a Mandalorian costumer (played by real-life fan Owen) as he journeys to meet up with friends at a local con. He starts off the day feeding his cat, Leia, and checking for the essentials (“Keys, phone, thermal detonator”), before heading out. He picks up a boba tea (naturally), grabs the bus, and uses his iPhone 15 to chat with and find his Mandalorian clan. Finally together, they share greetings and some in-sync head-bobs to Channel Tres’ “All My Friends,” with the lyric “5:02, past the curfew” changed to “5:01,” in a nod from the artist to the 501[sup]st[/sup] Legion fan group. Jardiniano and pals then blast off…up the escalator. (The commercial is also filled with Easter eggs, from the sign at the bus stop — “The first transport is away!” — to the “New Hope” street sign, so keep your scanners peeled.)
Lucasfilm received over 300 submissions for the spot, with a total of 172 fans becoming involved with the production — the largest number ever for a project sanctioned by the company. For Owen, it was an experience to remember.
“Oh, it's great. It still doesn't feel real to me,” he says. “It was just wonderful, really, being able to do all this.” Thank you, Owen, and all fans who make this the best community in the galaxy.