Finally, a Nice Surprise in 2020: Rian Johnson Just Directed an Ad for Pokémon Go

Hollywood A-list directors are no strangers to advertising, but they tend to surface only for big-budget, long-form cinematic spots. So it was a nice surprise to see that the newest ad for mobile game Pokémon Go was, despite being relatively modest in its ambitions, helmed remotely by star director Rian Johnson, who's apparently a fan of the game—especially while keeping social distance from his friends. “Pokémon Go has kept me engaged with my friends remotely as I've been practicing physical distancing these past few months,” Johnson said in a statement about the campaign. “As a longtime Pokémon trainer, it was a real pleasure working with Niantic on this spot." [kickout id="1"] The ad, from agency Muh-Tay-Zik / Hof-Fer for software developer Niantic and The Pokémon Company, is timed to promote the annual Pokémon Go Fest, taking place July 25 and 26. Because of quarantine restrictions in many countries, the spot was filmed with talent in New Zealand, where Covid-19 has been contained (the country currently lists 22 active cases, with only one being treated in a hospital.) "It was a new experience for me to direct a production remotely," Johnson said, "and I enjoyed the highly collaborative process and think we put together a fun and upbeat commercial that fans will enjoy.” Johnson, based in Los Angeles, directed the New Zealand talent remotely. Initially known for critically acclaimed films like Brick and Looper, Johnson's career skyrocketed in recent years. In 2017, he directed Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and his 2019 mystery Knives Out was a critical and box-office success, netting $309 million on a $40 million budget. CREDITS: The Pokémon Company International Andrew Schnorr, Product Marketing Manager David Cheung, Product Marketing Manager - Digital and Mobile Niantic Labs Mike Quigley, CMO Kento Suga, Director of Marketing Veronica Saron, Product Marketing Manager Philip Marz, Product Marketing Manager EMEA Agency Muh-Tay-Zik / Hof-Fer John Matejczyk, CCO/Co-Founder Matt Hofherr, CSO/Co-Founder Greggy Adriano, Art Director Johann Lopez, Copywriter Brendan Robertson, CSO/SF Jessica Bedussi, Associate Social Strategy Director Tanya LeSieur, Head of Production/Assoc. Ptr. Austin Kim, Executive Producer Meghan Cermack, Account Director Jane Han, Account Supervisor Cara Orlowski, Director of Business Affairs Katy Aquino, Director of Creative Operations Production Company: Caviar Rian Johnson, Director Steve Yedlin, ASC Stephan Mohammed, Producer Michael Sagol, Executive Producer / Managing Director Kim Dellera, Executive Producer / Partner Casey Wooden, Executive Producer / Head of Production Big Picture Co - NZ Service Company William Grieve, Executive Producer Luke Robinson, 1st Assistant Director Nigel Bluck, NZ Director of Photography Adrian Dentice, Casting Color Grading: Rows of Numbers Steve Yedlin, ASC Postproduction: Exile Conor O'Neill/Editor CL Weaver/EP Michael Miller/Sr Producer Jennifer Locke/HOP Rex Lowry/Assistant Editor VFX & Animation & Finish: Alt Jay Hawkins, VFX Supervisor Chris Fieldhouse, Executive Producer Jayce Attewell, VFX Producer Jordan McInnes, CG Supervisor Matt Chance, 2D Supervisor Chris Gardner, FX TD Martin Kindl, Lookdev/Lighting Artist Murray Smallwood, Senior Compositor Mitchell Kehn, Compositor Kerrie Moss, Animator Josh Kell, Flame Artist Harry Gale, VFX Assistant Music and SFX: Beacon Street Studios Andrew Feltenstein, Composer John Nau, Composer Danny Dunlap, Composer Leslie DiLullo, EP/Head of Production Rommel Molina, Sound Designer Kate Vadnais, Senior Mix/Sound Design Producer Sound/Mix: Eleven Jeff Payne, Sound Mixer Jordan Meltzer, Assistant Sound Mixer Melissa Elston, Executive Producer