Among elite Hollywood actors, few have a voice and cadence as instantly recognizable as Christopher Walken—a trait that BMW has fun with in its Super Bowl commercial. 

The 60-second ad, which was released today, shows Walken going about a normal day, driving an electric BMW i5 to run some errands. Everyone he encounters tries to imitate his halting speaking style, including a hotel valet, tailor, makeup artist and drive-thru barista. Even actress Ashley Park of “Emily in Paris” joins in, while encountering Walken while walking her dog. But Walken is not having it, finding it more frustrating than funny.

His spirits are lifted when he encounters Usher at a restaurant, who overhears Walken saying, “yeah,” a reference to the singer’s hit song “Yeah!”

“Don’t you got somewhere to be?” Walken asks the singer, a reference to Usher’s halftime performance, which will take place not long after the BMW spot runs in the game in the first quarter.

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Goodby Silverstein & Partners handled the ad. It was directed by Bryan Buckley, whose credits include nearly 70 Super Bowl commercials. 

BMW uses the ad to compare Walken’s one-of-a-kind persona to its brand, suggesting “there is only one Ultimate Driving Machine.” 

The automaker on TikTok plans to challenge users to do their own Walken impression while plugging the hashtag  #TalkinlikeWalken.

The electric BMW i5, which recently hit dealers, continues the automaker’s ongoing investment in electric vehicles. BMW also used a 2022 Super Bowl ad to plug its EVs with an ad starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Salma Hayek playing Zeus and Hera.

As for this year’s approach, BMW of North America Chief Marketing Officer Marcus Casey in a statement said: “When you think about the perfect Super Bowl ad, you quickly realize that there’s a recipe for success. Not that it’s easy, but if you start with an exciting new product, an A-List Hollywood star, a great script, and a talented team, and add to that mix, the multitalented Ashley Park, and a global superstar such as Usher, you have the makings of a hilarious, memorable spot.”

“Christopher Walken is iconic, as is the 5 Series. It’s one icon working with another, creating a synergy of two legendary figures,” added Rich Silverstein, co-chairman and co-founder of GS&P.

Walken has been asked about his speaking style over the years in media interviews. Born in Queens, New York, he worked at a bakery owned by his immigrant parents, he told CBS News in 2012, saying listening to his mom and dad talk gave him his halting speaking style. “Both my parents had heavy accents, and so did everybody they knew,” he said. “It’s a rhythm thing—people who speak English where they have to hesitate and think of the right word. And I think it rubbed off.”