From the big to the small, everyone looks forward to the commercials that entertain – sometimes more than the game itself! So it’s only appropriate that Coke and Marvel teamed up to provide a refreshingly entertaining and downright amazing film for all to enjoy. As for the big and small…this one’s taking both to another level.

Due to Luma’s extensive experience working with both characters, we welcomed the call from Wieden + Kennedy when they asked us to partner with The Russo Brothers from Bullitt to help bring A Mini Marvel to life. There was just one small thing; the schedule only allowed for eight weeks from award to final delivery.

The meek would likely shy away from such a challenge. The team at Luma said, “we eat the meek for breakfast!”

And so the journey began. A journey involving unparalleled collaboration between all parties, sublimely informative storyboards, airtight pre-visualization, world-class production units, flawless data collection, miraculous look development, extraordinary animation, outstanding effects and seamless compositing. This really was the perfect storm of awesomeness.

The real star of the spot is the Coke Mini in all of its glory. But The Hulk and Ant-Man didn’t take a back seat. While Luma was quite experienced working with both characters, it was time to take them to a whole new level for their big Super Bowl 50 debut.

The muscular system inside The Hulk was completely redefined. As was the simulation process. The Hulk has been a character notoriously difficult to bring to life in the VFX world. Luma’s process gave fast feedback, allowing us to produce the best looking Hulk that we had ever produced. Ant-Man received spiffy, new MoCap, running the MoCap and hand-keyed animation through Suit-up, Luma’s internal wrinkle/cloth system for tight fitting suits.

Even the mini can of Coke was treated like a character. Every few frames the team studied the shot to see how they could light The Hulk and Ant-Man, while treating the Coke can with specific lights to make it pop like a magazine ad.

Luma’s unique, non-linear workflow was essential to achieve the level of complexity and perfection that was required to make the spot really special. By running many parts of the production process in parallel, the team was able to move quickly and meet that eight week deadline.

Through many roars and growls viewers get an action packed 60-second spot, and in the end, with a little help from Ant-Man, the Hulk prevails.

Check out our “Making of” below.