Taco Bell Made the Perfect Trailer for a Fake Movie About Why They’ve Never Sold Fries

Ever wonder why Taco Bell doesn’t sell fries? That question sets off Josh Duhamel on a epic quest in the brand’s new faux movie trailer for a thriller called Web of Fries, which looks like the perfect plane movie.

The 90-second spot, from Deutsch, hits every thriller trope with aplomb, and making the big bad a combination of burger chains and ketchup is so obvious, wonderfully stupid and fun. Duhamel expertly sells the concerned man on a mission, complete with a freakout in front of his pinboard of clues.

As a way to tout a new product—making it seem as though the chain always wanted to make fries, but couldn’t, with an air of mystery—it’s a solid play. Making a trailer for a movie that will never exist? Even better because … I now want to see that movie.

A 60-second version of the spot will air during the NFC Championship Game this weekend. Other cuts of the spot—15-, 30- and 90-second versions—will also air on television. The :90 will also run in cinemas.

CREDITS
Chief Brand Officer – Marisa Thalberg
SVP, Advertising and Brand Engagement – Tracee Larocca
Manger, Advertising – Brian Darney
Associate Manager, Advertising – Kenny Heinau
Food Consultant – Carolyn Avelino

Agency: Deutsch
Chief Creative Officer, North America: Pete Favat
Executive Creative Director: Brett Craig
Creative Director: Ken Slater
Creative Director: Rich Ford
Associate Creative Director: Marcus Cross
Associate Creative Director: John Baker
Senior Art Director: Jamie Kiersted
Copywriter: Bobby O’Neill
Director of Integrated Production: Vic Palumbo
Executive Integrated Producer: Paul Roy
Senior Integrated Producer: Jamie Gartner
Music Director: Eryk Rich
Audio Producer: Chase Butters

Account Management Credits:
Group Account Director: Walter Smith
Group Account Director: Matt Matzen
Account Director: Kristie Weston
Account Supervisor: Kelly Childers
Account Executive: Estevan Palomino
Account Executive: Jenny Wolf

Account Planning:
Co-Director of Strategy:  Lindsey Allison
Associate Strategy Director: Armando Potter

Business Affairs/Traffic:
Director of Integrated Business Affairs: Abilino Guillermo
Executive Business Affairs Manager: Ken Rongey
Business Affairs Manager: Jade McAdams
Director or Broadcast Traffic: Carie Bonillo
Associate Broadcast Traffic Manger: Ana Barraza

Executives:
CEO, North America: Mike Sheldon
President, Los Angeles: Kim Getty

Live Action Production Company:
Production Company: Reset

Director: Joseph Kosinski
Managing Director: Dave Morrison
Executive Producer/Bidding: Jen Beitler
Head of Production: JP Colombo
Producer: Veronica Madrigal

Editorial Company
Production Company: Union Editorial
Editor: Jim Haygood
Executive Producer: Joe Ross

Post Facility:
Production Company: Alt VFX
Executive Producer: Chris Fieldhouse
VFX Producer: Oden Roberts

Licensed/Composed Music, Credits and Track Info:
Mophonics – music house
Ashe & Spencer – music license

Audio Post Company:
Production Company: Lime
Executive Producer: Susie Boyajan
Mixer: Mark Meyuhas
Assistant Mixer: Peter Lapinski

Kristina Monllos

@KristinaMonllos

Kristina Monllos is a senior editor for Adweek.