Moonfall is a 2022 science fiction disaster film starring Halle Berry and directed by Roland Emmerich (Independence Day). In the movie, the moon begins to fall out of orbit, wreaking havoc with the earth. The characters attempt to avert disaster and discover evil forces intent on destroying our planet. Because of a partnership with Lexus, the film stars several of the brand’s SUVs and crossover cars.

Halle Berry’s ‘Moonfall’ character rides in a Lexus GX 460

In Moonfall, Halle Berry plays Jo Fowler, a NASA executive and former astronaut. During the film, Fowler rides around in a government vehicle. Eagle-eyed moviegoers recognized this SUV as the Lexus GX 460. This is the smaller of Lexus’ two full-frame SUVs. It shares a chassis with the Toyota 4Runner.

The use of a Lexus SUV instead of the classic government-issue Chevrolet Suburban may have seemed like product placement to some film fans. In addition, Michael Peña’s character, Tom Lopez is actually a Lexus dealer. Finally, Emmerich used a Lexus for a major chase scene.

Lexus confirmed it has a partnership with the Moonfall film when it launched the Lexus x “Moonfall” campaign, complete with teaser video. With Lexus’ help, Moonfall will be one of the most expensive independently-produced films of all time.

Sonny Harper drives a Lexus NX in a chase scene

During Moonfall, Fowler believes she knows the secret to saving the earth. She seeks to launch a space mission, but the powers that be block her. One of her only allies is an astronaut named Brian Harper (Patrick Wilson). Eventually, they launch their own mission.

Brian Harper’s son is named Sonny and is played by Charlie Plummer. During a long chase scene, Sonny Harper races across the earth’s apocalyptic surface. The moon’s gravity has torn entire chunks off the planet and Sonny must jump across them as they float skyward.

Sonny Harper is driving a Lexus NX 250 AWD. The Lexus NX is a compact crossover. Lexus offers the hatchback with either a gasoline engine or as the brand’s first plug-in hybrid. 2021 marks the launch of the second-generation NX. This may explain why the automaker is keen for screen time for this vehicle.

Lexus has partnered with Disney’s Marvel films and ‘The Men in Black’ franchise

Lexus has partnered with many films before Moonfall. The technology-driven automaker appears to prefer science fiction movies.

Marvel’s The Black Panther superhero film featured an unforgettable chase scene. The Black Panther is pursuing the bad guys through the streets of Seoul when they begin to get away. From thousands of miles away, his sister Shuri is able to hack into a parked LC 500 and join the chase with the Black Panther clinging to the roof.

Lexus partnered with Marvel again for summer 2021’s The Eternals. Firstly, the automaker teamed up with directors Joe and Anthony Russo as well as Eternals actor Kumail Nanjiani on the short film “Parking Spot.” In addition, Lexus built a custom vehicle for each of The Eternals‘ ten stars. These one-of-a-kind vehicles joined the actors on the red carpet at the film’s premier. It might have been cheaper to partner with The Fantastic Four, but Lexus does not seem to have budget concerns about product placement.

Finally, Lexus partnered with the new Men in Black movie, Men in Black: International. Naturally, the film included cameos by the Lexus RX Hybrid and Lexus LX SUVs. The movie also included an extended chase scene aboard a 2020 Lexus RC F. And uniquely, the film developed a custom, futuristic personal jet for one scene. This aerial transport was even badged as an imaginary Lexus QZ 618.

Here’s the first Moonfall trailer. This new SciFi hits theaters on February 4th, 2022.