New dark-comedy Cocaine Bear is set to become gen Zers’ favourite drug-fuelled film of the year
Imagine you’re sitting on the floor, it’s around 2 am and you’re surrounded by your friends reminiscing over the night, eating chips and chatting gibberish. All of a sudden someone starts telling a story about a 500-pound black bear who, in the mid 80s, ingested over 70 pounds of cocaine, suffered serious internal damage, and ultimately died in the woods. You’d potentially start thinking, “Wow, I’d love to see this story play out on the big screen.” Well, don’t fret, your dreams are about to come true.
Cocaine Bear is set to hit theatres on 24 February 2023 and director Elizabeth Banks has promised to deliver a wacky yet brilliant depiction of the infamous ‘Pablo Eskobear’.
What is the true story behind ‘Cocaine Bear’?
Now, when you initially watch the trailer for Cocaine Bear, you’d most likely assume that it’s completely fictional. You would, of course, be extremely wrong. There was indeed a cocaine-infused massive black bear that, after dousing itself in drugs, passed away between Tennessee and Georgia in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
According to The Independent, the cocaine consumed by the bear, which had been worth an estimated $15 million, was dropped out of a plane in 1985 by drug smuggler Andrew Thornton. The runner had been dropping packages over Northern Georgia when he jumped out of the plane, his parachute failed to open and he subsequently fell to his death.
While it’s presumed that the bear located the multiple duffle bags full of drugs quite soon after Thornton passed away, it wasn’t until three months later that the mammal was found by the authorities. Pablo Eskobear had suffered massive internal haemorrhaging, respiratory failure, hypothermia, heart failure and a stroke. Medical examiners confirmed that his stomach had been extensively lined with cocaine.
Super-fans of this unlikely cult figure might be excited to know that the bear was taxidermied and is currently on display at the Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington.
So, back to the Cocaine Bear film. Banks has managed to get a hold of a pretty killer cast for this upcoming dark comedy. Stars such as Keri Russell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and the late Raymond Liotta.
In terms of plot, the film will focus on the days following the bear’s discovery of the cocaine. As can be seen in the trailer, gore, chaos and destruction will be at the forefront of what’s going to potentially become a gen Zer cult classic. Did I hear someone say 2024 Golden Globes?
One netizen on Twitter is so sure of the film’s sheer genius, they posted: “You laugh now but just you wait until Cocaine Bear gets nominated for best picture, best director, best actress, best special effects, etc.”
So, calling all fans of the recent Peter Pan: Neverland Nightmare, Cocaine Bear is sure to be a fan-favourite among all of you.
