Sir Elton punting for Pepsi in Super Bowl spot

Sir Elton John appears as the “King of Rock” in the Pepsi ad set to air during the Super Bowl XLVI telecast, which is on NBC on Feb. 5.

The 60-second ad, titled “King’s Court,” features “The X Factor” 2011 winner Melanie Amaro singing for Elton John.

TBWA/Chiat Day produced the ad and Noam Murro directed.

Amaro performs her version of Otis Redding’s “RESPECT” in a Medieval times “royal court of rock.”

PepsiCo, in a news release, says the commercial “highlights the fact that Pepsi has an irresistible taste worth challenging a king for. With epic Pepsi scale and a big dose of humor, the commercial ends with a twist and the tagline, ‘Where there’s Pepsi, There’s Music.’”

Elton John says of his appearance, “Pepsi wanted to make me ‘King for a Day’ on Super Bowl Sunday. How could I possibly pass that up?”

Earlier this year, the performer made some Super Bowl news when he slammed the mega-event’s superstar halftime shows and suggested that Madonna, this year’s headliner, better “lip-synch good.” 

Amaro’s appearance is part of her deal as last year’s “The X Factor” winner. She also received a $5 million recording contract.

A second PepsiCo commercial during the Super Bowl will feature Regis Philbin and promote Pepsi MAX.

PepsiCo also is sponsoring several music events at the Super Bowl in Indianapolis, including concerts and parties featuring Don Omar and L. Hernandez, Gym Glass Heroes, B.o.B, the All-American Rejects, One Republic, Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler.

A behind the scenes look at the Elton John/Melanie Amaro commercial: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRs-pLNW6cY.