Elizabeth Banks is off to the Emerald Isle to film Cocaine Bear, a movie based on the true story of a black bear who died of a drug overdose way out in the Appalachian mountains. The actress, comedian, director, writer, and producer semi-recently directed a Charlie's Angels remake and served as an executive producer on TV shows including Shrill and DC Super Hero High. Although Banks got her start in comedy, the multitalented entertainer has expanded her creative scope with extensive roles and credits in action movies like The Hunger Games and Power Rangers.
It was announced in March that Banks will direct and produce a film inspired by a 1985 news story about a bear who happened upon a lethal stash of coke in the wilds of Georgia's Chattahoochee National Forest. The bear died shortly after consuming some of the cocaine, but the rest of the drugs mysteriously disappeared before he was found. The suspect dealings leading up to and following the bear's death are rife with material for a crime thriller. The story's central (human) figure is Andrew Carter Thornton, a former police officer who began smuggling cocaine, a situation that would ultimately lead to his death. Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who previously worked with Banks on The Lego Movie, will produce. The film will be distributed by Universal Pictures.
Banks shared that she and her family have temporarily relocated to Ireland while Cocaine Bear films. The actress tweeted a video she made of her experience in the country thus far, which has included visiting the Irish Sea and driving on the left side of the road, among other things. Banks also cracks open a bag of Tayto chips, which she fails to refer to as "crisps" in the local vernacular. In the video, Banks explains that the movie will shoot abroad, despite the fact that the events took place stateside:
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It makes sense that Banks would choose Ireland as a filming location, as the country's rolling green hills are a suitable dupe for the North Georgia mountains in which the events of the movie take place. Banks doesn't reveal whether the movie will film any scenes in Tennessee or Kentucky, where the story also travels. Although the director has relocated to film in Ireland, little information has been made available about what or who exactly will be filming there. The "cocaine bear" story is publicly known, but details about the script's focus or a synopsis haven't yet been shared. Neither have any cast members have been announced, nor has it been clarified whether Banks herself will act in the film.
Regardless, it's exciting that production appears to be well underway for Cocaine Bear. As for what we do know, Jimmy Warden (The Babysitter: Killer Queen, The Roommate) adapted the story into a script, which will be served by Warden's experience melding comedy and horror (or, in this case, thriller). The movie has been pitched as a "character-driven thriller," but it's unclear what tone the film will take. Given Banks' comedic sensibility and the internet's collective amusement toward the subject matter, an element of dark comedy would be appropriate. On the other hand, the story itself has all the makings of a tragic narcotics thriller, and it looks like Warden and Banks plan to focus on the drama of Thornton's downfall.
Source: Elizabeth Banks/Twitter