James Marsden Is Proving He’s Not Just a ‘Snack,’ He’s a ‘Whole Meal’ In Heartthrob-Heavy Dunkin’ Campaign
James Marsden is done lamenting over just being a “snack” — he’s ready for the world to know he’s the whole entire meal.
In a new campaign for Dunkin’, Marsden, 51, stares up at the sky in his convertible, thinking about how people consider him a “snack.” He worries that the world can’t see his real worth, despite his “noble” feats, including dressing up as a volunteer fireman for Halloween.
A Dunkin’ employee interrupts Marsden’s inner monologue, reminding the actor that he’s at the drive-thru before handing over his $6 meal deal. The employee explains that he did not order just a snack, but a whole meal.
“It looks like we’re in a therapist’s office and getting to have some fun with that, making fun of ourselves a bit,” Marsden exclusively tells PEOPLE of the commercial. “It’s always exciting to me when I see a brand that I’ve known forever start to get really creative and playful with their content. And I just love it when big companies like this, you have a sense of humor.”
Marsden stars in the campaign alongside fellow Hollywood heartthrobs Charles Melton, Tramell Tillman, Gavin Casalegno and Dylan Efron. The spot even features a cameo from comedian Zarna Garg. All the actors have similar existential crises in the drive-thru lane.
The commercial highlights Dunkin’s new May offerings launching, which include a $6 meal deal featuring a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich, hash browns and a medium hot or iced coffee.
Dunkin’ guests can also try a medium Dunkin’ Refreshers (including the new Tropical Guava Dunkin’ Refresher) with a choice of Lemonade or sparkling water for just $3 all day.
Other new standout menu offerings include an Iced Strawberry Lemon Loaf topped with strawberry icing and a Pistachio Signature Latte, available hot or iced.
Those who are familiar with some of Marsden’s most notable roles — such as playing an exaggerated version himself in Jury Duty or as the ever-aloof Prince Edward in Enchanted — know that the actor has a penchant for drumming up the over-the-top and the humorous. This spot was no different.
“I never really take things too seriously,” he admits. “And I think when people take what we do too seriously, it becomes like, ‘Come on, man.’ You know what I mean? I love what I do, and I take it very seriously, but in a fun way, I guess. And I feel like the more we can poke fun at ourselves, the more that we can show that we’re not doing super serious work. I just enjoy that.”
As for Marsden on whether or not he really believes he’s “a snack,” he recalls a moment fellow actor and Ma star Octavia Spencer taught him what the slang term meant while at a press junket.
“We passed each other in the hallway, and I was wearing a suit, and she’s like, ‘You look clean, you look good, you look like a little snack,” he laughs. “I’ll take that. That’s a compliment!”
Source: People