"Cocaine Bear" hits the big screen

Kentucky’s infamous “Cocaine Bear” is headed for the big screen.

The bear was made famous by the bestselling The Bluegrass Conspiracy book recounting the harrowing tale of Andrew Thornton II, a Kentucky native and former Lexington police officer who was found dead after parachuting out of a plane.

Thornton was found wearing Gucci loafers, carrying gold bars, and strapped with $15 million worth of cocaine, which a black bear found and proceeded to eat and overdose on.

Thus, the Cocaine Bear was born. Or, rather, died.

Actress Elizabeth Banks has signed on to direct with Universal Pictures in this larger-than-life tale.

Elizabeth Banks, Phil Lord and Chris Miller Reunite for ‘Cocaine Bear’ at Universal Pictures https://t.co/WnNs1j9UHq

— Variety (@Variety) March 10, 2021

Bluegrass Conspiracy also features the true-crime disappearance case of Melanie Flynn, a Lexington native who went missing in 1977 after her shift as an employee at KHSAA.

Flynn was the daughter of former Kentucky State Senator Bobby Flynn and sister of former Cincinnati Reds’ Doug Flynn. She was never found

It is unclear if the storyline of Flynn will be featured alongside Thornton’s.

The “Cocaine Bear” currently resides (in a taxidermic state) in Lexington, KY for Kentucky’s Fun Mall downtown. He was previously owned by country star Waylon Jennings before making its way back to Kentucky.

They nicknamed him Pablo Escobear.

Folks, you truly can’t make this stuff up.