Elizabeth Banks to Direct Thriller ‘Cocaine Bear’ at

Elizabeth Banks has discovered her subsequent undertaking and can direct a thriller at Universal referred to as “Cocaine Bear,” that Phil Lord and Christopher Miller will produce.

“Cocaine Bear” shall be Banks’ third characteristic after final directing “Charlie’s Angels” in 2019 and “Pitch Perfect 3” from 2015. “Cocaine Bear” relies on a real story of occasions that occurred in Kentucky in 1985, and Jimmy Warden wrote the spec screenplay on which the movie shall be based mostly.

The movie’s story is barely loosely impressed by a New York Times article, however it’s precisely what the title suggests. Back in 1985, a 175-pound black bear died after ingesting a duffel bag stuffed with cocaine. The cocaine was dropped out of an airplane by a convicted smuggler as a result of he was carrying too heavy a load whereas parachuting.

The actual plot particulars are being saved beneath wraps. Production is anticipated to start this summer time.

Lord and Miller are producing “Cocaine Bear” together with Aditya Sood, the president of the Lord Miller banner, who additionally introduced the undertaking to the studio. Elizabeth Banks can also be producing, together with Brian Duffield and Max Handelman by way of their Brownstone Productions banner. Matt Reilly, Universal’s EVP of manufacturing, and Christine Sun, inventive govt, will oversee on behalf of the studio.

Banks final starred in “Mrs. America” and can subsequent be seen in Taylor Hackford’s “Signal Hill.” She’s additionally hooked up to play Ms. Frizzle in a live-action “The Magic School Bus,” additionally set at Universal.

Banks and Brownstone are represented by UTA, Untitled and Ziffren Brittenham.