Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds, 43, also knows about our farming community’s signature sweet-smelling field landscapes.
This season, our Starke County neighbors just down the road, Larry and Debbie Wappel, have 1,200 acres planted in peppermint and 200 acres in spearmint, which is the ideal aromatic visual setting for a new series of campaign commercial advertisements being created by Reynolds’ production team.
Last weekend, Reynolds’ production company dispatched a photographer and videographer to our small town to capture images and footage of the Wappel’s mint fields.
If this sounds like an odd stretch to many, then most people, myself included (until recently), aren’t aware that in addition to being married to actress Blake Lively, a father of three and the star of such blockbuster films as “The Proposal,” “Green Lantern” and “Deadpool,” Reynolds is also a businessman with many investments. His latest financial adventure came in November 2019 when he purchased controlling ownership stake in Mint Mobile, a cellular telephone service. Launched in August 2016, Mint Mobile is a prepaid mobile phone service with glowing green “Minty Fox” as the company’s mascot.
“While every other tech titan is off chasing rockets, I’ll corner the budget-friendly wireless sector,” Reynolds is quoted on the
“Like most people, I only use rockets 10-12 times a year, but I use my mobile service every day.”
The wireless company promotes itself as “offering carrier-grade service for a fraction of the cost,” and describes Reynolds as “actor, writer, producer and mobile phone enthusiast.”
“It’s a bit unconventional, which is why I like it,” said Reynolds in his press announcement after acquiring the company.
“Celebrities generally invest in high-end products like skincare brands or delicious gin companies. Yet Mint Mobile is making wireless way more affordable at a time when the average American is paying 65 dollars a month. I’m excited to champion a more practical approach to the most essential technology.”
Mint Mobile promises to “offer premium wireless for as little as $15 a month by having no retail overhead costs and an innovative consumption model.”
Reynolds’ press announcement also explains he “will help with Mint Mobile’s communications and marketing efforts, as well as strategic decision-making.”
“We were contacted by a producer from California who arranged for the New York photographer to come out to our farm on Saturday for photos and footage,” Debbie Wappel said.
“Makes for a nice distraction from COVID-19 and politics. We were told Ryan and his friend Hugh Jackman are making these ads for Mint Mobile, Ryan’s phone company. And as a little bonus, Ryan sent a year’s worth of phone service for us, delivered by his photographer, and Ryan autographed each of the certificates.”
In May, Reynolds released a clever online commercial which depicted himself “sheltered in” at his home and explaining to customers all about Mint Mobile. He kiddingly speculates if the service is “plant-based?” and mentions the company’s mascot being “the Mint Fox,” along with a whispered remark that he’s “still not sure about him.”
He continues his commercial voiceover while displaying a black and white photo of Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, as he boasts: “We’re pretty sure this guy would approve. And because he’s public domain, we can say that without any fear of legal action.” He then closes with a vibrant mint field photo and the words “Thank you,” before a brief video clip of his mom saying: “I’m so proud of you,” to which he replies, “thanks Mommy.”
Live action commercials starring Reynolds himself and/or Hugh Jackman and on location from the peppermint fields of Starke County? Stay tuned.
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