Could this be an indication that VW is bringing back the iconic Beetle for a third round in an even more funky-designed electrified generation?
Volkswagen has teamed up with ZAG and Mediawan Kids & Family, the team behind the global family animated TV series hit Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug & Cat Noir, for an exclusive partnership for the upcoming animated film adaption Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir The Movie.
The series follows two Parisian teens, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste, who transform into the superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir, respectively, as they protect the city from supervillains led by Hawk Moth. For the film, given the magical powers of creation, Ladybug must unite with her Cat Noir to save Paris as a villain unleashes chaos on the city.
Could this be an indication that VW is bringing back the iconic Beetle for a third round in an even more funky-designed electrified generation?
Electric vehicles are said to be integrated in a ‘meaningful’ way throughout the storyline with the cars of the VW’s ID family being redesigned to fit in with the animated look and feel. Two city cars with a futuristic look will be driven by the film’s main heroes, Cat Noir with the ID.4 and Ladybug who will fittingly be in an electric Beetle concept car.
The luxury ID. Vizzion which has become the ID. 7 will be driven by stylist Gabriel Agreste, while the iconic Volkswagen ID. Buzz will be Tom’s bakery delivery vehicle. Volkswagen has committed to become climate-neutral by 2050 and will be launching ten new all-electric models by 2026, including the already onsale ID.3, ID.7 and ID. Buzz.
Volkswagen Chief Marketing Officer Nelly Kennedy says partnering with the Miraculous universe values of ecology and sustainability pair well with Volkswagen’s ‘Way to zero’. “This collaboration will strongly support our efforts to emotionalize the brand and our ID family even more. It offers Volkswagen the opportunity to introduce the ID. family in a very likeable way to a broad family audience.”
Jérémy Zag, director of the movie says that his creative team had a lot of fun adapting the iconic vehicles of the Volkswagen brand to the world of Miraculous and integrating them seamlessly into the film and the Parisian settings. “Ladybug and Cat Noir represent the new generation, and the vehicles in the film embody that modernity. For me, it is crucial to convey an essential message: taking care of our environment to live in a better world tomorrow.”
This isn’t the first time Volkswagen has integrated its vehicles into a film, VWs found their way into “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania”, as well as Disney+ Star Wars series Obi-Wan-Kenobi, Andor and The Mandalorian.
The Miraculous series has become a global phenomenon in more than 130 countries over the last couple of years with more than 33 billion views on YouTube and number one TV-rankings in many countries. The film will hit Netflix locally on 28 July 2023.
Keyword: Volkswagen EVs to star in upcoming animated film Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir