new American survival comedy horror film titled Cocaine Bear is being directed and co-produced my Elizabeth Rothschild from a script by Jimmy Warden.

Ray Liotta appears in the movie as part of an ensemble cast in one of his final roles before passing away. [1] The real-life incident of an American black bear consuming a duffel bag full of cocaine in 1985 served as its inspiration.

Cocaine Bear is scheduled to be released in the United States on February 24, 2023, by Universal Pictures.

– Keri Russell as Colette Matthews – O'Shea Jackson Jr. as Howard – Christian Convery-Jennings as Henry – Alden Ehrenreich as Marty – Jesse Tyler Ferguson – Brooklynn Prince – Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Bob – Kristofer Hivju – Hannah Hoekstra – Margo Martindale – Ray Liotta as Dentwood – Matthew Rhys

Cast

The real-life incident of a 175-pound American black bear who died in December 1985 after consuming a duffel bag full of cocaine served as the basis for the movie. Former narcotics officer and convicted drug smuggler Andrew C. Thornton II's aircraft dropped the cocaine because it was carrying too much cargo.

Inspiration

Then, with a malfunctioning parachute, Thornton leaped from the aircraft and died. Three months later, the bear and 40 unsealed plastic cocaine packages were discovered in Georgia's north. [2] [3] The bear is currently on exhibit at Lexington, Kentucky's Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall. [4] In 2015, Kentucky for Kentucky invented the term "Cocaine Bear." [5]

In December 2019, it was revealed that Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were making an unnamed horror comedy film based on a spec script written by Jimmy Warden and inspired by the real-life incident.

Production

It was also reported that Elizabeth Banks would instead helm the picture, with Banks and Max Handelman of Brownstone Productions serving as producers alongside Brian Duffield, Lord, Miller, and Aditya Sood of Lord Miller Productions. [7] [8] Between July and August 2021, the full cast was unveiled. [9] [10] Ireland's County Wicklow served as the location for the main shoot from August 20 and October 17, 2021. [11] [12][13]

When asked to direct, members of the Radio Silence collective Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett declined in favour of working on the fifth Scream movie. [6] Universal Pictures revealed that the movie was in production on March 9, 2021.

Production

Natalie Holt is reportedly writing the movie's score as of February 2022. But starting in November 2022, Mark Mothersbaugh took over as composer. [15] After Pitch Perfect 2, this is their second time working together.

Music

Release

Universal Pictures has set the movie's theatrical debut for February 24, 2023. [16]