There’s a Coke vs. Pepsi movie in the works, and the internet is divided
ParamountA bidding war took place for a movie pitch about the history of Coke vs. Pepsi, and it’s left the internet completely split.
Hollywood is in its era of consumerism. With movies like Barbie and Super Mario Bros. earning spots on the list of highest-grossing movies ever made, it’s no wonder brands are lining up around the block to tell their big-screen story.
Just last year we had Air, an Affleck-Damon collaboration that recounted Nike’s battle to sponsor Michael Jordan amid the raging sports shoe wars. Now, two famous soda companies are stepping up to the plate: Coke and Pepsi.
The two brands have been in competition for decades, with Coke always managing to beat out its blue-and-red foe. The new movie pitch making the rounds — for which Sony has reportedly offered a seven-figure bid — will tell the tale of their 1980s “Cola Wars”. Needless to say, movie fans are pretty divided about it.
Coke vs. Pepsi movie is in the works
According to Deadline, Sony bid around $1.5 million for the Coke vs. Pepsi pitch titled ‘Cola Wars’, which will focus on Pepsi’s mission to overthrow Coke as the world’s top cola.
“This behind-the-scenes account, from Michael Jackson’s fiery mishap to the New Coke debacle, tells the ultimate underdog tale of history’s most iconic second-place contender vying for the No. 1 spot,” the report says.
In a way, the industry has always been laying the groundwork for a movie surrounding the Coke-Pepsi competition. Ever since product placement became a concept, the two soda companies have long since been featured. With films like Wayne’s World, World War Z, and (most recently) Madame Web, Pepsi has fought for their on-screen presence.
However, Coke might have them beat on that front, too. E.T, Blade Runner, and Stranger Things have all featured the iconic drink. In fact, the impact of New Coke in Stranger Things was so effective that the company even brought back a run of their famously discontinued drink.
Jason Shuman and Ben Queen will write the Cola Wars script, with Sony exec Maia Eyre at the helm.
Cola Wars has internet divided
Upon hearing about the Cola Wars pitch, movie lovers quickly took to social media to express some wildly different views.
Some were quick to show their disappointment, arguing that another movie about a famous brand was unimaginative.
“Does this really deserve a whole movie??” one X user asked, while another mockingly said: “So many films about BRANDS, BRANDS are our real heroes, we all love BRANDS, we all want to be friends with BRANDS.”
“ENOUGH!!!! Corporate movies!!! I do not care for brands, I care about human stories,” wrote a third.
Elsewhere, other comments didn’t seem to focus on the negative so much. Instead, they joked about what the movie could end up being like, and even made some Marvel jokes.
“Jacob Elordi as Coke and Barry Keoghan as Pepsi,” one user wrote.
“They’re gonna tease Dr. Pepper in the end credits like Thanos,” said another. Another continued the Marvel theme, joking: “when I stay for the post credits scene and Sprite pulls ups and says “I’m putting together a team…”
Of course, above everything, there was plenty of Coke vs. Pepsi debate. …It seems the Cola Wars continue.
