Stunning locations in County Wicklow such as Powerscourt Waterfall and Avoca Mines are featured in the new movie “Cocaine Bear” which has just gone on general release.
The movie is based on the true story of a black bear that consumed a large amount of cocaine that was dropped from a drug smuggler’s airplane in the rural areas of Georgia in the 1980s.
Powerscourt Waterfall and Avoca Mines were chosen as locations to represent the Georgian wilderness where the real-life incident took place. Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland’s highest waterfall, and its stunning beauty makes it a popular location for film shoots.
Meanwhile, the Avoca Mines is an abandoned copper and lead mine located in the Wicklow Mountains that provided the perfect backdrop for the movie’s gritty and rugged scenes. Clermont House at Wicklow County Campus in Rathnew was also used as a location for key indoor scenes.
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, said: “This successful production is just the latest example of the value of the ongoing supports offered to the film industry in the County through the work of Screen Wicklow and the actions of the County Wicklow Screen Sector Development Strategy.”
Cllr Tommy Annesley, Cathaoirleach, Wicklow County Council added: “The versatility of our beautiful County as a film location shines through in this film. It is shaping up to be yet another addition to the list of iconic films shot in County Wicklow and will no doubt encourage visitors to come and see the sights for themselves.”
Wicklow has earned the name of “Hollywood of Europe” due to its popularity as a filming location along with the county being the base for two major studios. Some of the most famous movies shot in Wicklow include blockbusters such as “Braveheart”, “Excalibur” or “P.S. I Love You” and more recently Disney’s “Disenchanted” and the Netflix Series “Vikings: Valhalla”. More details can be found online here. You can also access Screen Wicklow‘s – Online Resource Portal here.
The county’s stunning landscapes and historic buildings have made it a favourite location for filmmakers looking to capture a sense of otherworldliness or historical authenticity. Moreover, the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which covers most of the county, has also attracted a number of nature documentaries and adventure films.
About Cocaine Bear
Inspired by the 1985 true story of a drug runner’s plane crash, missing cocaine, and the black bear that ate it, this wild dark comedy finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converging in a Georgia forest where a 500- pound apex predator has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow … and blood. Cocaine Bear stars Keri Russell (The Americans), O’Shea Jackson, Jr. (Straight Outta Compton), Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth), Alden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), Brooklynn Prince (The Florida Project), Isiah Whitlock Jr. (BlacKkKlansman), Kristofer Hivju (Game of Thrones), Hannah Hoekstra (2019’s Charlie’s Angels) and Aaron Holliday (Sharp Objects), with Emmy winner Margo Martindale (The Americans) and Emmy winner Ray Liotta (The Many Saints of Newark). Directed by Elizabeth Banks (Charlie’s Angels, Pitch Perfect 2) from a screenplay by Jimmy Warden (The Babysitter: Killer Queen), Cocaine Bear is produced by Oscar® winners Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, The Mitchells vs. The Machines) for Lord Miller, Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect franchise) and Max Handelman (Pitch Perfect franchise) for Brownstone Productions, Brian Duffield (Spontaneous) for Jurassic Party Productions and Aditya Sood (The Martian) for Lord Miller. The film is executive produced by Robin Mulcahy Fisichella, Alison Small and Nikki Baida.
Read more here.
About Screen Wicklow
Screen Wicklow is a vital resource for production companies, offering on-the-ground support with access and permissions as well as crucial local knowledge.
Screen Wicklow are a division of Wicklow County Council and is the single point of contact for all filming inquiries. From early site and crewing guidance to recces and logistical assistance, we can help at any step of the production.
Screen Wicklow is ready to help you with your film production as much as possible around the County. Need help? Please get in touch with us by phone or email:
Screen Wicklow
Wicklow County Campus
Clermont House
Rathnew
Co. Wicklow
A67 X566
Phone: (0404) 30800
Email: screenwicklow@wicklowcoco.ie
Main contact: John Powderly