Spielberg is Making a Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi Movie—Seriously

Hollywood is set to explore the Cola Wars in a new film produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Judd Apatow. Tentatively titled *Cola Wars*, the movie will delve into the competition between Coca-Cola and Pepsi during the mid-1980s, highlighting pivotal moments like Michael Jackson's infamous commercial incident and the New Coke debacle. While the project has some promising talent involved, skepticism abounds regarding its potential success, especially following the mixed outcomes of similar films. The film is in development at Sony and aims to capture the underdog story of Pepsi as it challenges Coca-Cola's long-standing dominance in the soft drink market.

The *Cola Wars* movie will focus on the real-life rivalry between Coca-Cola and Pepsi during the mid-1980s, showcasing events that defined their competition, including controversies and marketing battles that sought to claim dominance in the beverage industry.

*Cola Wars* aims to capitalize on the growing trend of films based on true stories of brand rivalries. The movie seeks to bring attention to the fascinating narrative of Pepsi’s efforts to rival Coca-Cola, which has been a cultural phenomenon and subject of much discussion. This cinematic endeavor echoes the success of films like *Air*, which explored Nike’s ascent in the sports industry, indicating a shift towards dramatizing significant brand histories with mainstream appeal.