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“Investigators searching for cocaine dropped by an airborne smuggler have found a ripped-up shipment of the sweet-smelling powder and the remains of a bear that apparently died of a multimillion-dollar high.”

So began the Associated Press news agency’s 23 December 1985 report on one of the most bizarre drug-trafficking stories in history.

The 175lb black bear’s body was discovered in the mountains of the Chattahoochee National Forest, about 80 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia, and just south of the Tennessee border, near to a duffel bag and 40 packages of the drug that had been ripped open and scattered over a hillside.

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Redemption for real cocaine bear

The cocaine had fallen from the skies three months earlier courtesy of former narcotics investigator and army paratrooper turned drug smuggler Andrew Thornton; he had intended to parachute down from a small plane over Knoxville, Tennessee, but ended up falling to his death.

Wearing night vision goggles and a bulletproof vest, and carrying guns and knives, according to reports from the time, his body was found in a neighbourhood driveway. His unmanned Cessna airplane crashed into a mountain in North Carolina about an hour later.

The true story of “Pablo Escobear” now forms the basis for the start of new gore-comedy Cocaine Bear, directed by actress and filmmaker Elizabeth Banks. It is not for the faint-hearted: there’s blood and guts and very grisly ends (pun intended), and a bear snorting cocaine wherever it can get it, including severed limbs.

Banks, star of films including the Pitch Perfect and Hunger Games series, tells Sky News she went “fully down the internet rabbit hole” when she first heard the story.

More on Elizabeth Banks

“We also were able to get the police reports from when Andrew’s body was found and we use a lot of information from various sources and put it into the movie,” she says. “Everything that Andrew Thornton is wearing when his body is found on the ground, from his Gucci loafers to his bullet-proof vest, that was all written down in the police report.”

Banks received the script in April 2020, just as the world had gone into lockdown. “We were getting into this global pandemic and I felt chaos all around me and trauma everywhere. I read this script and thought, well, there’s no greater metaphor for chaos than a bear that’s high on cocaine.”

What really happened to Cocaine Bear?

Cocaine Bear is directed by Elizabeth Banks. Pic: Universal Studios
Image:
Pic: Universal Studios

An official from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation told the Associated Press at the time that Thornton fell and died as he was carrying too heavy a load while parachuting.

Before they found the bear’s body, investigators had located packages of cocaine in identical duffel bags at two other locations.

Officials said the animal, which had been dead for about four weeks by the time it was discovered, ended up eating several million dollars’ worth of the drug and that its stomach was “packed to the brim”. Each of the 40 packages was believed to have contained one kilogram, and was valued at as much as $20m (£16.7m) at the time.

In Cocaine Bear, the bear’s drug-taking leads to a gory killing spree, rather than its own death; the film takes in Thornton’s jump in the first few minutes, but the vast majority of the screentime is dedicated to what might have happened had the animal survived.

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Despite the film’s comedy, the true story is tragic. Banks says her first reaction when she heard the real story was “a lot of sympathy” for the bear. “And I thought, wow, this script is actually an incredible redemption story for that bear, who was collateral damage in this crazy war on drugs.”

In real life, “Pablo Escobear” has now gained something of a cult status in certain areas in the US – and inevitably wider now following the release of the film. The animal’s body was preserved and is now on display at the Kentucky For Kentucky memorabilia and tourist store. (Thornton was from Kentucky).

“A bear dying of a drug overdose is really sad,” says writer Jimmy Warden. “This [film] was about redressing or rewriting the story for the bear, who was really the victim in this entire thing. But my objective was always just to create something that was fun. And I think that the movie definitely does it very well.”

Ray Liotta’s final performance

L-R: Daveed (O'Shea Jackson, Jr), Eddie (Alden Ehrenreich), Officer Reba (Ayoola Smart) and Syd (Ray Liotta) in Cocaine Bear, directed by Elizabeth Banks. Pic: Universal Studios
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L-R: O’Shea Jackson Jr, Alden Ehrenreich, Ayoola Smart and Ray Liotta. Pic: Universal Studios

Cocaine Bear stars Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr, Isiah Whitlock Jr, Alden Ehrenreich, Margo Martindale and Ray Liotta, in his final film performance before his death in 2022. He plays drug kingpin Syd, who is trying to retrieve Thornton’s stash with the help of his son Eddie (Ehrenreich) and fixer Daveed (Jackson Jr).

“There’s always so much vulnerability and sweetness and heart in all of his performances, even when he’s playing these extremely menacing characters,” says Ehrenreich, known for films including Hail, Caesar! and Solo: A Star Wars Story. “That really bore itself out with him personally, he was just this very sweet man and having a lot of fun.”

“Ray is a legend in the industry,” says Jackson Jr (Just Mercy, Straight Outta Compton). “As a performer, it’s a bucket-list thing to work with greats, and to be able to work with him on one of his final projects is an honour and a blessing that I think we all will cherish.”

‘Their sphincter sucks up in their seat…’

Director Elizabeth Banks on the set of Cocaine Bear. Pic: Universal Studios
Image:
Banks pictured on set. Pic: Universal Studios

Liotta’s drug lord is one of a motley crew of unfortunate people who find themselves roaming the national park, from tourists and a mother looking for her daughter, to police officers and park wardens.

Banks says there is a relatability to all the characters. “You know, the characters aren’t high on cocaine. They’re just trying to get through their day. And I loved that idea of telling this underdog story, with the big hook of the rampaging bear.”

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Ah, but this isn’t entirely true. We see two curious children trying it out. Did Banks think this was controversial? “The movie’s called Cocaine Bear,” she says. “It’s a big, bold, audacious idea. And so we didn’t shy away from big, bold choices.

“I think they’re actually appropriately aged to be curious about those sorts of things. I remember I was a 12 year old girl in 1985 and I skipped school. I actually don’t think… I think they spit it all out, I don’t think they’re very high on cocaine. And if they are, it’s the only way that…” We’ll leave it there; no spoilers here.

Ultimately, Banks says she wanted to make a fun film. “I really enjoyed the power that directing this kind of visceral, tense, exciting, funny movie allowed me to have with the audience. I know because I’ve seen it with people that they have to look away, you know, their sphincter sucks up in their seat. They’re a little ill. It’s an incredible sense of power that I get to take the audience on this journey, on this ride. I’m very much enjoying it.”

Cocaine Bear is out in cinemas now

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Social media star ‘Big John’ Fisher to be deported after being detained in Australia

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Social media star 'Big John' Fisher to be deported after being detained in Australia

Social media star “Big John” Fisher has said he is being deported from Australia after he was detained over visa issues.

Fisher, known for reviewing fast food online, arrived in Australia on Tuesday for appearances in Perth and Sydney.

In posts on his Instagram, he said he was questioned by border officials for four hours in the city of Perth.

He said he was due to head home on Wednesday, his birthday, at 6.30pm local time.

“My visa was legal coming in but they are not happy with what I am doing here so they are sending me home,” he said. “To be truthful, I just want to go home now.

“When common sense goes out the window you lose a bit of hope with human beings.

“Well even though I am under lock and key it’s my birthday, I’m still smiling and I still love Australia.

“Just can’t wait to get home to my family and good old England.”

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It is understood Fisher was travelling on an incorrect visa.

An Australian Border Force spokesperson said it did not comment on individual passengers.

Fisher, who has more than 680,000 followers on Instagram, went viral for his love of Chinese takeaway and is best known for his use of the catchphrase “bosh”.

He makes regular appearances at restaurants, clubs and major events around the world.

His son, British heavyweight boxer Johnny Fisher, wrote on Instagram: “The Aussies have detained Big John and are sending him home- rumour has it they are frightened of his express pace bowling ahead of the Ashes.”

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Stars of sumo head to London’s Royal Albert Hall – and noodles sell out

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Stars of sumo head to London's Royal Albert Hall - and noodles sell out

They’re getting through 70kg of rice a day and the wholesaler has run out of noodles. Yes, Sumo returns to London on Wednesday.

It’s just the second time a Grand Tournament has been held outside of Japan – and this is a sport that has records going back more than 1,500 years.

It’s 34 years since the Royal Albert Hall hosted the only previous such event on foreign soil – and the appetite for tickets meant all five days sold out immediately.

Much of the focus is on the two grand champions or yokozuna, the 74th and 75th men to attain the rank.

They’re the Mongolian Hoshoryu Tomokatsu, plus Japan’s Onosato Daiki – who this year became the quickest wrestler to achieve the rank in the modern era.

“I’m happy that Sumo is back after so many years,” Onosato said. “I hope I can show the UK fans how fantastic Sumo is.”

“Being a yokozuna has a lot of responsibility,” Hoshoryu told Sky Sports. “We have to show everyone an example of what a yokozuna is – and that’s very difficult.

“My uncle was a yokozuna – and I’m happy to follow in his footsteps. But I came here to London as a yokozuna which he didn’t, so I’m even happier.”

The two are already great rivals.

Onosato Daiki became the quickest ever to achieve yokozuna rank. Pic: AP
Image:
Onosato Daiki became the quickest ever to achieve yokozuna rank. Pic: AP

At the recent Aki Basho – the most prestigious tournament on the sumo calendar – the pair finished with identical records after 15 days of bouts.

It all came down to a final play-off between the two yokozuna – the first time that had happened in 16 years. It was Onosato who came out on top on that occasion.

Hoshoryu says he is a big fan of basketball and football. He follows Chelsea, although his favourite players are going back a bit: “Didier Drogba and Petr Cech. He’s the ‘keeper. I like this guy!”

Early starts and a hearty stew: The life of a rikishi

The wrestlers – or rikishi – have a rigorous training regime.

They live in communal blocks called stables and practice starts early. Perhaps surprisingly, everyone skips breakfast. After training and practice – and for the younger rikishi, chores – the wrestlers all eat together.

The staple of their diet is chankonabe, a hearty stew packed with meat and vegetables. The feeding of the 40 rikishi who have come over for the five-day tournament is a challenge in itself.

Donagh Collins, the CEO of co-organisers Askonas Holt, said: “We are going through 70 kilos of rice a day. Somebody told me that the wholesaler for the noodles has run out of noodles. We’re really pushing the system here.”

The ring – or dohyo – is just 4.55m in diameter and quite small when two giant wrestlers leap at each other.

The aim of the fights is to either get your opponent onto the floor – or, more spectacularly, shove or hurl them out of the dohyo, so spectators in the ringside seats may be getting extremely up-close to the wrestlers.

The last time the tournament was in Britain, the massive Konishiki, known as the Dump Truck, took centre stage.

The giant Hawaiian was the heaviest-ever rikishi coming in at 287kg – or 45 stone. That’s a lot of wrestler to dodge if he comes falling out of the ring towards you.

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The Royal Albert Hall may be firstly a concert venue, but it has hosted the likes of John McEnroe, Lennox Lewis and even Muhammad Ali.

And for the next five days, the cream of the world of sumo will be thrilling the crowds – provided a new noodle supplier is found.

What is a yokozuna?

Yokozuna is the highest rank in sumo, with its name meaning “horizontal rope” and refers to the rope worn around a competitor’s waist as they enter the ring.

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Grammy-winning R&B and soul star D’Angelo dies after ‘prolonged battle with cancer’

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Grammy-winning R&B and soul star D'Angelo dies after 'prolonged battle with cancer'

Grammy-award winning R&B and soul singer D’Angelo has died following a battle with pancreatic cancer, his family has said.

He died on Tuesday, leaving behind a “legacy of extraordinarily moving music” following a “prolonged and courageous battle with cancer,” his family said in a statement.

The prominent musician, born Michael D’Angelo Archer, was 51 years old.

A family statement said: “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.

“We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time, but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”

The singer rose to prominence in the 1990s with his first album, Brown Sugar.

The track “Lady” from that album reached No. 10 in March 1996 and remained on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for 20 weeks.

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