The marketing campaign of geniuses finally gets put to the test this Friday March 26th, when Hot Tub Time Machine debuts.  The film stars John Cusack, Rob Corddry (from the Daily Show), Craig Robinson (Daryl from the Office), and Clark Duke (from the ABC Family show Greek).   The film is about four friends who live it up one night in a ski resort hot tub and wake up in the year 1986. Think The Hangover meets Back to the Future.

The film buzz has spread like wild fire through word-of-mouth, outrageous commercials, and a ton of TV spot trailers. Honestly, I feel like I see a trailer for this movie every time I’m watching TV.  The campaign even teamed up with the Jersey Shore, when the Jersey Shore essentially took over America, for a TV spot based off the general hot tub theme.  The marketers used various forms of Social Media (aka Twitter & Facebook) to get the word out, and they used hit counts from the websites to analyze the hype.  Let’s just say the clip of Craig Robinson questioning where they are, concluding the jacuzzi is a hot tub time machine, then looking straight into the camera while raising his eye brows, has taken the internet by storm. In large, I think there is some real hype generated by the campaign.

Not since Snakes On a Plane have I seen a movie be marketed in a such a way. And not since Snakes on a Plane have I seen such hype generated. The marketing team did a top notch job here, so bravo.  I now want to see Hot Tub Time Machine undoubtedly, and I honestly think it looks hilarious.

On a different note, what I also can’t figure out is how did the studio get John Cusack to do this movie.  Cusack is a Hollywood staple and an extremely talented and well respected actor.  Not to put this movie down, but Hot Tub Time Machine doesn’t fit the Cusack bill. I would think the guys from Broken Lizard would be more into this movie. Cusack!! Come on! Right?

Interesting enough, I think Cusack being in the movie adds more credibility to the script. Maybe he was sitting pool side, sipping a Corona in his LA mansion, reading this script and just cracking himself up.  Who knows, maybe that’s what happened.  Maybe he was like, there is just no way I can’t do this movie, called his agent and told him to sign him up.

Hot Tub Time Machine is going to make a splash this weekend, and I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people. Buy the Long Futures on it if you’re going to trade on the Cantor Exchange because this movie is going to be a hit.

Are you seeing Hot Tub Time Machine on Friday?