Director Elizabeth Banks says she is open to making a Cocaine Bear sequel, and Cocaine Shark could actually work. Elizabeth Banks, known for acting roles and producer credits such as the Pitch Perfect franchise directs Cocaine Bear stars Ray Liotta, Keri Russell, Margo Martindale, Alden Ehrenreich, and Scott Seiss to name a few. Cocaine Bear has advertised itself well on the wild concept of an animal on drugs going on a rampage, and the fact that it is based loosely on a true story makes Cocaine Bear all the more interesting.

Cocaine Bear is inspired by the true story of a bear in North Georgia that ingested a pile of cocaine, abandoned to lighten a plane’s load in 1985. The real bear sadly died quite quickly after consumption, but Banks’ Cocaine Bear follows a bizarre group of cops, criminals, tourists, and some teens trying to escape the murderous bear. Cocaine Bear definitely takes some liberties from the real story, but the inspiration from the true story has made Cocaine Bear has been a focal marketing point. Banks’ has now said she would be open to doing a sequel, Cocaine Shark, if Cocaine Bear performs well from the hype.

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Cocaine Shark Could Work As A Movie

Keri Russell in Cocaine Bear
Keri Russell in Cocaine Bear

Following a news report from New Zealand which reported three tons of cocaine was found floating in the ocean, Banks confirmed she’d be keen to create the viral idea of Cocaine Shark. Cocaine Shark would not be a true story like Cocaine Bear, but the cocaine found in the ocean would give the sequel some plausibility to create a believable film. Plus, using a completely different predator for a Cocaine Bear sequel keeps the story fresh instead of trying to continue a story with the bear which probably will not have much grounds after Cocaine Bear.

Sharks have often been used to create good thrillers, as Banks’ commented “Jaws with cocaine, I don’t see how that loses” so there is already the thrill factor without just repeating the same formula of shark movies. Cocaine Bear had a decent budget of nearly $40 million and if it performs well in theaters like other 2023 box office successes then Cocaine Shark could be afforded a similar, or better, budget which means it could actually be a decent film. Banks’ faith in Cocaine Bear, plus her willingness to create the Cocaine Shark sequel, means a genuinely decent movie could be made that is not just a b-list money grab.

Is Cocaine Shark Going To Happen?

It is not confirmed whether Cocaine Shark will actually happen, with only Banks’ comments to go on it is merely speculative. However, the idea has foundations with the New Zealand reports of the cocaine dump, and it is a positive that the idea has been planted in Banks’ head. Banks has been open about her dedication to Cocaine Bear, so it would make sense that Pitch Perfect's Elizabeth Banks would want to continue to create more movies in this style if the opportunity arose.

The probability of Cocaine Shark happening is primarily down to the success of Cocaine Bear at the box office. There is a risk after all the hype of Cocaine Bear that it could end up like Snakes On A Plane, and there would be little interest in Cocaine Shark if it were going to only provide the fun b-movie experience. Cocaine Shark is definitely an interesting idea and has grounds to be quite the thriller if Banks wants to open the animals-on-drugs movie world, but the box office success of Cocaine Bear is crucial to any sequel being made.

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