EXCLUSIVE: In her second directorial feature for Universal, Elizabeth Banks has set quite the cast, tapping Keri Russell, Ray Liotta, Alden Ehrenreich, O’Shea Jackson and Jesse Tyler Ferguson to star in Cocaine Bear.
Production is set to begin August 23 in Ireland. Jimmy Warden wrote the script that’s described as a character-driven thriller inspired by true events that took place in Kentucky in 1985. Additional information is being kept under wraps.
Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Aditya Sood are producing for Lord Miller. Brian Duffield is also producing as well as Banks and Max Handelman (who produce under their Brownstone Productions banner). Robin Fisichella will executive produce.
EVP Production Matt Reilly and Director of Development Christine Sun will oversee the project on behalf of Universal.
Best known for her roles in Felicity and The Americans, Russell has been busy on the film front in recent years, most recently seen in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as well as the upcoming horror thriller Antlers directed by Scott Cooper. Liotta can be seen in the Steven Soderbegh thriller No Sudden Move and the upcoming in The Sopranos prequel Many Saints of Newark.
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Ehrenreich, best known for his starring role in Solo: A Star Wars Story, most recently was seen in the Peacock series Brave New World. Jackson has been busy on the TV front as of late as he is set to star in the Apple TV+ series Swagger and also has a big role in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series for Disney+. Ferguson is coming off the decade-long run playing Mitchell Pritchett on the ABC sitcom Modern Family.
Russell is represented by WME, Burstein Company, Viewpoint and Sloane Offer. Liotta is represented by Gersh, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and Viewpoint. Ehrenreich is represented by CAA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, Relevant, and Felker Toczek Suddleson. Jackson is represented by WME and Ziffren Brittenham LLP. Ferguson is represented by ICM Partners, Gartner Group Entertainment and GGSSC.
This cast!! Dream team. #CocaineBear #KeriRussell @OsheaJacksonJr #RayLiotta #AldenEhrenreich @jessetyler pic.twitter.com/fjMfaTWa9B
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) July 1, 2021