To no one’s surprise, Hollywood has seemingly drawn the wrong conclusion from Barbie’s box office success – that any intellectual property can be turned into a hit film – and is now wading even deeper into a swamp of soulless, brand-driven filmmaking. What’s the next cola-fueled adventure? From renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg and comedy expert Judd Apatow at the helm, the “Cola Wars” promises to be a thrilling ride.
While Deadline’s report suggests that this forthcoming film is inspired by the real-life rivalry between Coca-Cola and Pepsi, one can’t help but wonder what makes this story so compelling.
Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment will produce the long-developing project at Sony. Acquired as a package deal for over $1 million earlier this year by the studio. The Cola Wars: A Screenplay is in development, written by Jason Shuman, known for his work on Apple’s Acapulco, and Ben Queen, creator of Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. The Queen, a renowned animation studio, further expanded its creative scope by contributing to the development of Automobiles 2 and 3 for Pixar Animation Studios.
With a focus on capturing the essence of Deadline, the movie strives to recount the authentic tale of Pepsi’s attempt to challenge Coca-Cola’s century-long dominance as the world’s leading cola brand. It reignited the “Cola Wars” of the mid-1980s, a period that encompassed everything from Michael Jackson’s infamous Pepsi-fueled mishap to the ill-fated introduction of New Coke, as the ultimate underdog tale of history’s most iconic second-place finisher – Pepsi – striving for supremacy at number one. While a film about Coca-Cola’s humble beginnings might boast a talented ensemble cast and fast-paced narrative, it’s unclear what sets this project apart from others that have struggled to resonate with audiences in the past, making it difficult to justify investing in yet another potentially underwhelming production.
After the lukewarm reception of The Bubble, Apatow may see this as a chance to rebound and regain momentum. Despite his initial lackluster start in a comedy TV series, there was still a glimmer of hope that his talent would soon shine through in Hollywood. Ben Affleck’s Air, which drew inspiration from Nike’s battle to secure Michael Jordan’s endorsement for its sneaker line, serves as a precursor to the narrative explored in Cola Wars; however, Amazon’s financial loss on this film prevents it from being a commercially successful venture. Can’t we simply articulate our objectives and move forward with purpose?
