Owners of used Hyundai models in New Jersey may hear an unfamiliar voice while watching the Oscars this Sunday. Actor Jeff Bridges, who has been doing voiceovers for Hyundai commercials since 2007, has been told that he cannot appear in any advertisements that air during the Academy Awards, because of a rule prohibiting nominees and award presenters from doing so.
Unfortunately for the Korean automaker, they were unaware that Bridges, who is nominated for Best Actor for his role in Crazy Heart, would be prevented from doing voiceovers for the seven different commercials that they had planned to run during the Oscars.
According to USA Today, Hyundai was forced to hire several last minute replacements to sub in for Bridges, including Catherine Keener, Kim Basinger, David Duchovny, Richard Dreyfuss, Michael Madsen, Mandy Patinkin and Martin Sheen.
A 30-second spot in the Academy Awards’ broadcast is estimated to cost between $1.3 and $1.5 million, Auto Week reports. Hyundai has confirmed that Bridges will return to his usual position as spokesman following the awards ceremony.
Those interested in used Hyundai models may want to take a look at the Sonata, one of the more popular used sedans on the road today.