NIA Long and Larenz Tate have reunited to reprise their iconic roles as Nina Mosley and Darius Lovehall from the beloved 1990s classic Love Jones in a heartwarming Walmart holiday commercial.
Though it's not a sequel, the campaign brings the fan-favourite couple together for a sentimental gift exchange, offering a dose of nostalgia that fans have longed for.
In the ad, Nia Long’s character, Nina, opens the door to a surprise Walmart package. She’s delighted to find a record player inside. When Larenz Tate's Darius appears, Nina asks if it's an "early present." Darius responds with a grin, "You know I don’t like to wait. Merry Christmas, babe," before planting a kiss on her cheek. The couple then shares a joyful moment, testing out the record player and dancing to the soulful sounds of The Isley Brothers.
During an interview with FoodSided, Larenz Tate reflected on the significance of the reunion, stating, “I think fans have been waiting for this for a very long time, and they’ll be thrilled to see our characters back together this holiday season. These ad spots incorporate nostalgic moments from the original movie while continuing Nina and Darius’ love story and the family they’ve built together. It’s perfectly heartwarming for the holidays and Love Jones fans will love it.”
Nia Long also shared her thoughts on the enduring impact of Love Jones, noting that while the film wasn’t a major box office success at the time—grossing $12.7 million worldwide against a $10 million budget—it has become a timeless classic. “It’s relatable because everyone wants to fall in love, and this movie encapsulates what it feels like to fall in love,” Long explained. “I don’t know that we knew it would be such an enduring story while we were filming. Still, I think the reason it’s stood the test of time is because depicting Black love at that time in the 90s was relatively novel. Love Jones delivered in that void, and it resonated deeply with our audience.”
The Walmart campaign features 15 different ads, showcasing a variety of iconic characters from shows and films like Gilmore Girls, Crazy Rich Asians, and SpongeBob SquarePants. Each ad highlights different gift categories, including fashion, tech, and toys, bringing together beloved pop culture figures in the spirit of the holidays.
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