EAST LONGMEADOW, MA (May 22, 2002) - In his latest project, noted Actor/Director Kevin Smith takes the helm to direct television commercials for two of Hasbro, Inc.'s new Star Wars licensed board games. The commercials for STAR WARS: EPIC DUELS game and THE GAME OF LIFE: A JEDI'S PATH are on TV now.
Smith, an avid Star Wars fan, brings his creativity and humor to the spots, which highlight the exciting game play, as well as offer viewers a close-up look at the detailed playing pieces. In the STAR WARS: EPIC DUELS commercial, four boys joke and taunt one another as they battle to become the best Star Wars hero. While in the spot for THE GAME OF LIFE: A JEDI'S PATH, a boy's imagination transforms a simple half-moon cookie into a battle of the "light side" versus the "dark side."
"When I was growing up I watched Star Wars commercials, and now, years later, I'm thrilled to be the guy directing them," said Smith. "It brings you full circle. It's nice to go back to being a kid again, surrounded by all these games and toys, and being the guy that actually makes the commercial."
"Kevin's passion for all things Star Wars made him a great choice for directing these ads," explains John Chandler, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Hasbro Games. "This really translated into a great ad campaign in which we were able to convey the enthusiasm for the Star Wars experience, the fun of playing games and Kevin's talent as a director."
Grey Worldwide, the advertising agency that created and produced the spots, worked with Hasbro to bring Smith in to direct them. Smith, best known for acclaimed films including Chasing Amy, Mallrats, Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Dogma, pays homage to the movie saga by incorporating Star Wars references and quotes into each of his films. A few examples include:
- Carrie Fisher (PRINCESS LEIA) appears in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
- Quoting YODA from The Empire Strikes Back, Silent Bob says, "Do or do not, there is no try." (Chasing Amy)
- In Clerks, there is a reference made to construction workers rebuilding the DEATH STAR in Return of the Jedi.
About the Games
THE GAME OF LIFE: A JEDI'S PATH, is similar to the original GAME OF LIFE, where players must make choices about their destiny. As players move aspiring Jedi around the board (passing tests, doing battle, learning lessons, going on missions and building their light sabers), they build their connection to the Force in four ways - Logic, Intuition, Fighting and Energy. Along the way, players can choose the JEDI path or the riskier/quicker "Dark Path." At the end of the game the mightiest JEDI and the darkest SITH square off to determine the most powerful Force-user in the Galaxy.
STAR WARS: EPIC DUELS is a game of creativity and "what-ifs," and like the Star Wars movies, is filled with classic one-on-one duels. In this game, players can relive these movie moments and even create never-before-seen battles. Players decide who is the greatest Star Wars warrior of all time. Is it ANAKIN or LUKE? Would LUKE SKYWALKER have beaten DARTH MAUL? Could YODA have taken on the EMPEROR in the second Death Star? The STAR WARS EPIC DUELS game allows Star Wars fans to pit almost any Star Wars character from any released episode against another Star Wars character. Game play takes place on one of four battle venues.
Players take on the role of their character and duel their opponent. Over 30 painted figures. Each character comes with its own card deck and own strategy.
THE GAME OF LIFE: A JEDI'S PATH is suitable for players ages 9 and up, while STAR WARS: EPIC DUELS is created for players ages 8 and older. Both are available at retailers now for the approximate retail price of $19.99 each.
About Hasbro
Hasbro Games manufactures and markets games and puzzles under the brand names MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS and AVALON HILL. Included in its product line are some of the world's best-known games and puzzles including: CANDY LAND, the MONOPOLY game, SCRABBLE Brand Crossword Game, YAHTZEE, TWISTER, THE GAME OF LIFE, TRIVIAL PURSUIT and BIG BEN Puzzles.
The company also markets its games in three focused initiatives: MY FIRST GAMES (pre-school games), FAMILY GAME NIGHT (family games) and GET TOGETHER GAMES (adult games).
Hasbro is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, SUPER SOAKER, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.
© 2002 Hasbro, Inc. All rights reserved.
