KFC just revealed a new Colonel Sanders to launch the chain's 'biggest stunt' yet
To accompany the launch of the spicy Zinger sandwich, KFC has hired a new Colonel Sanders: actor Rob Lowe.
Lowe, known for his roles in teen '80s films like "St. Elmo's Fire" and TV shows like "Parks and Recreation" and "The West Wing," will play a John F. Kennedy-esque colonel, announcing plans to launch the Zinger into space.
And yes, KFC does plan to launch the Zinger into space, in what KFC president Kevin Hochman told Business Insider is the "biggest stunt [he's] ever been apart of in 20-plus years."
According to KFC, the chain plans to launch the chicken into space some time this summer.
"There is one question that we will be able to answer with certainty very soon: Can you actually launch KFC's world-famous Zinger chicken sandwich into space?" Lowe says in the ad, in the role of the Colonel. "The answer is: We certainly hope so. Our entire marketing campaign depends on it."
As the new Colonel Sanders, Zane follows in the footsteps of a number of other comedians who have taken on the role since Darrell Hammond brought the founder back from the dead in May 2015. Other Colonel Sanders include Norm Macdonald, Jim Gaffigan, and, most recently, actor and producer Billy Zane.
Hochman says that KFC wanted to bring out the big guns for the the introduction of the Zinger sandwich.
"We're going all out to establish ourselves as a sandwich player," he said. "It's easier said than done. We're late to the party - that's why we're throwing in the kitchen sink."
Here's KFC's new commercial, starring Rob Lowe as Colonel Sanders: