In what could be the first example of a Super Bowl ad becoming a movie (though, to be fair, the 2009 Pepsi ad was inspired by an SNL skit), the MacGyver spoof “MacGruber” will get the feature film treatment later this year. Good news? You be the judge.

THE SPOT

THE FLICK

With three-and-a-half weeks until the big game, it’s time to get back to the business of talking about the commercials we can expect to see on February 7. Those of you who know me, know that I’m a bigger fan of the ads than I am of football, especially since my Packers and Steelers have been bounced from the post-season picture.

So what can we expect to see in this year’s game? Actually, I should start with a report on who you WON’T see suiting up for competition. Super Bowl regulars Pepsi, General Motors and FedEx are sitting out due to what I can only assume is a sprained economic hamstring or a budgetary concussion, even though the price of a 30 second spot has dropped from $3 million in 2009 to $2.8 million(ish) in 2010.

They’ll be missed, but several rookies are ready to take their place. First time Super Bowl advertisers include Dr. Pepper, Pop Secret, HP, and HomeAway. I’m especially stoked about the HomeAway spot, because it’ll feature Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo reprising their roles as Clark and Ellen Griswold from the classic National Lampoon’s Vacation films. Seriously, how awesome were the 80s?

Pepsi has released a rough cut version of their much anticipated 3-D Super Bowl commercial. This cut is a 60-second version and features Ray Lewis and a few other NFL stars (sorry guys, I only recognized Ray). The official spot airing in the Super Bowl is said to be a 90-second ad and a co-promotion for Dreamwork’s Monsters vs. Aliens movie. This rough cut contains a few images of the movie’s characters, but not many. We’re guessing the final version will more heavily promote the flick.

USA Today reports that defending SpotBowl chamption Bridgestone-Firestone will use Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and spacemen in it’s upcoming Super Bowl ads.

Also reported in the article, singer Will.i.am will appear in a Pepsi spot and Monster.com will promote its NFL partnership with a spot about the job search website’s “Director of Fandemonium” contest. The winner receives a $100,000 “signing bonus” and a trip to Super Bowl XVVIILIVIII (next year’s game) to be on the field for the game’s opening coin toss.