Filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Judd Apatow have reportedly boarded Sony’s upcoming Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi movie, Cola Wars.
A Deadline report shares that Apatow is now attached to direct the project, with Spielberg tapped as a producer via Amblin Entertainment. It’s primed to tell a mid-1980s story that follows the battle between Pepsi and Coke for the top spot of soda drinkers’ favorite poppy beverage. Deadline said Sony purchased Cola Wars for more than $1 million amid a tense auction earlier this year.
The Cola Wars is the real-life story of a rivalry that’s lasted for decades, with important moments including the New Coke controversy and a Pepsi-related pyrotechnic malfunction that saw Michael Jackson’s hair catch fire. Exact details on everything Sony’s soda movie will cover have yet to be revealed, but we do know that its script will be handled by Jason Shuman (Acapulco) and Ben Queen (Cars 2, The Addams Family 2). Sony’s Maia Eyre is overseeing the film.
Spielberg’s long history in Hollywood includes directing work on classics such as Jaws, Jurassic Park, and the original Indiana Jones trilogy as well as more recent projects like Lincoln, Ready Player One, The Fabelmans, and West Side Story. His producing credits cast and even wider net, including Maestro, First Man, and The Post. Apatow directed a number of comedies through the 2000s, such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Funny People. He also helmed 2020’s The King of Staten Island as well as a few episodes of HBO’s 2017 series, Crashing.
Cola Wars is still in its early stages, so Sony has yet to reveal a release date or casting information. For more, you can read about Spielberg’s msyterious next film. It’s set to arrive sometime in 2026 and will see him reunite with screenwriter David Koepp.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
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