Director Elizabeth Banks has opened up about a controversial scene in her upcoming black comedy thriller, Cocaine Bear, featuring children taking drugs. Based on the surreal true story of an American black bear who found and ingested a duffel bag full of cocaine left in the wilderness by drug smugglers, the highly anticipated film marks the third feature-length directorial venture from Elizabeth Banks, following Pitch Perfect 2 and 2019's Charlie's Angels. True to the movie's controversial nature Cocaine Bear is set to exaggerate the real events on which it is based, showing the titular animal embarking on a drug-fueled rampage, terrorizing park rangers, criminals, tourists, and teenage delinquents across Georgia.
Speaking to Variety ahead of the theatrical release of Cocaine Bear, Banks has defended a scene some view as ethically dubious, as it includes two children trying some of the cocaine that the bear later finds. Acknowledging the controversial nature of her latest directorial effort, referring to the film as a potential "career-ender," Banks admits that despite her doubts, the particularly jarring scene featuring child actors Brooklynn Prince and Christian Convery was necessary to the overarching tone of the film. Check out what Banks had to say about the scene below:
"It was definitely controversial. There were conversations about, should we age up these characters? We all kind of held hands and we were like, 'Guys, they've got to be 12.' It's their innocence being tested. That's what was interesting to me about that scene."
What To Expect From Banks' Cocaine Bear
Written by Jimmy Warden (The Babysitter), Cocaine Bear was initially set to be produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett approached to co-direct. However, once the duo turned the thriller down in favor of directing 2022's Scream together, Banks came on to direct and produce the film alongside Lord and Miller in 2021. Max Handelman, Banks' spouse, also joined the production team for Brownstone Productions.
The film features an ensemble cast, comprising the citizens of Georgia who cross paths with the Cocaine Bear. The star-studded cast includes Kerri Russel, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Alden Ehrenreich, Convery, and Prince. The late Ray Liotta is also featured in the thriller as a drug kingpin, one of the last characters of his career before his death in May 2022.
The unique premise of Cocaine Bear is so unconventional it is hard to believe that the film is based on a true story. Despite the bizarre gore of the plot, Banks is sure to use some creative license to balance the dark undercurrent of the upcoming film with her signature knack for levity. Cocaine Bear will be released in theaters on February 24.
Source: Variety