When planning the poster for the March 26 R-rated comedy Hot Tub Time Machine – debuting exclusively on EW.com and appearing in theaters starting tomorrow – the marketing team at MGM decided to play things counterintuitively and go with…algebra? “The title is provocative,” explains studio marketing head Michael Vollman. “We wanted to try to tell some story with the poster, which you don’t do a lot of the time. Who has algebra in something aimed at a mass audience? It was a fun way to make the title even more interesting.”
Indeed, the poster’s cheeky math spells out the film’s premise: A combination of hard ski lodge partying, what appears to be a mischievous squirrel, and a magical hot tub transport three lifelong buddies (John Cusack, The Daily Show‘s Rob Corddry, and The Office‘s Craig Robinson) and their younger pal (Greek‘s Clark Duke) back to 1986 and their 1986 bodies — and yes, you’re supposed to wonder why Duke doesn’t appear to age. (The photos on the right are of the actors briefly seen as the younger versions of Cusack, Corddry, and Robinson.) One of the most unusual aspects of the poster, it turns out, is the appearance of what appears to be booze in the comedy equation. “That’s an MPAA-approved image,” says Vollman. “It’s a generic, vodka-looking bottle.”
Has this project finally piqued your interest, PopWatchers?
“Has this project finally piqued your interest?”
I get the feeling that when people first heard there was going to be a movie called “Hot Tub Time Machine”, they made up their minds then and there as to whether they were in. I love me some Cusack, and I’m looking forward to checking this out…on Comedy Central four years from now when they show the unedited version at 1 a.m.
Still, I like the poster – it’s always nice when a studio’s marketing department actually puts some thought into its poster instead of lazily photoshopping a bunch of crap together.
What you said.
I did make up my mind right then and there. I am in. I love a good doofus humor movie. Supertroopers, Anchorman, Dodgeball, etc are so fun to watch. How could I possibly pass on a movie as ridiculously titled as Hot Tub Time Machine.
At least it’s not another 40 Year Old Virgin/Knocked Up looking poster. P.S. Craig Robinson kills me.
“You old, she pregnant. Can’t have a bunch of old pregnant b!tches running around. That’s crazy”
Robinson delivers!
Oh come on! The 40 Year Old Virgin poster was hilarious. That demented overeager gleam in his eye told me everything I needed to know about his character. One of my favorite movie posters ever!
Actually, each individual square for every character in the “HTTM” poster kinda reminds me of “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”/”Knocked Up” poster style.
I like how while everyone else gets younger all that happens to clark duke is he gets wet. ha
i love you Danielle for going to get screenign passes. spread the word. kicksomepast.com.
I have screening passes for this coming up in February. It looks hilarious. Can’t wait!
I’m guessing the reason the Clark Duke character won’t age is because he is conceived in the movie. Rob is going to hook up with his mom in the past and be his real dad, who he has never known. they really hinted at that possibility in the trailer. Looks great though.
Cusack looks like Lane Meyer… sweet.
What’s with the eraserhead ‘do? Those weren’t around until Kid n Play and Quame flaunted it. Should’ve gone with the soul glow gerry curl.
1986 is a little early for a fade that tall. But it was around in early hip-hop before Kid N Play went mainstream. And it’s just funny.
He’s skiing on one ski!
Cusack’s lookin’ goooood!
Is there something I’m missing with Clark Duke? I’ve seen several things he has been in, and I have seen nothing from him but a complete lack of charisma and absolutely no talent whatsoever. I’ve tried, really I have. All of the Clark and Michael stuff with Michael Cera, Greek, etc.
.
.
What am I missing?
Since when is simple math considered algebra?
Presumably the algebra is that the math is not using numbers but symbols. It’s extremely simple algebra, but it’s an equation with symbols, and thus, counts as algebra.
calculus is too hard of a word.
What is John Cusack doing in this movie? Seems like an odd fit for him.
needs a paycheck.
Best movie title since Snakes on a Plane!
What, you’ve never seen “Rosey Palm’s Brother: Fists of Fury”?
Jon – I remember liking Sex Drive for what it was…he was funny in that. I also enjoyed Twister when it came out, so be warned.
It had me at ‘Craig Robinson’. Yum.
Does anyone else think its weird to see someone play a young John Cusak when we all know what a young John Cusak really looks like due to all his early movies?
i’m actually friends with the guy playing the young cusack, he’s british, and it’s a little weird seeing him throwing his voice like that. but yeah, it’s weird seeing a young cusack when we know what he actually looked like.
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