Elizabeth Banksis set to make her directing follow-up toCharlie’s Angelswith the new thrillerCocaine Bearfor Universal. The big news was shared byDeadlineon Tuesday, and also notesThe Babysitter: Killer QueenwriterJimmy Wardenis on scripting duties for the project. Currently,Cocaine Bearhas been described as a character-driven piece inspired by real events that unfolded in 1985.
After doing a little digging, it turns out that the title is a literal description of an actual even. During a drug run from Columbia, a narcotics officer turned smuggler dumped 40 kilos of cocaine over Chattahoochee National Forest, where the entire haul was devoured by a bear. The body was found by the authorities, who declared the cause of death as perhaps the single biggest drug overdose in recorded history. Naturally, the locals dubbed him “Pablo EscoBear,” and his body was stuffed before being turned into a morbid tourist attraction.
The story is undeniably ripe with comedic potential, and as well as Banks directing,Cocaine BearhasPhil LordandChristopher Millerlisted among the producers. It’s the latest collaboration between Banks and Universal, with the actress attached toThe Magic School Bus,in which she’ll play Ms. Frizzle. The studio is also behind thePitch Perfectseries, with Banks starring in all three outings and directing the second installment.
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Not only that, but Banks will also direct and play the lead role inThe Invisible Womanas Universal tries once more to reinvent the studio’s roster of iconic monsters for modern audiences, which got off to a great start last year withLeigh Whannell’sThe Invisible Man. Lord and Miller still haven’t settled on their next directorial effort, and first since being dismissed fromSolo: A Star Wars Story, but the duo have been prolific as producers, withCocaine Bearjust the latest addition to a packed slate that includesHBO Max’sClone Highreboot,upcoming animationThe Mitchells vs. the MachinesandSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2.
Cocaine Bearis clearly a high-priority project for Universal, who wants to have cameras rolling by the summer. This marks a real change of pace for Banks as a filmmaker, and it’s an excitingly bizarre tale for her to sink her teeth into.
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