The “Uncle Drew” series from Pepsi has given Kyrie Irving an alter ego, and they’re looking to put that on the big screen.
According to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, Pepsi confirmed their ambitions of turning their online mini-series into a full-length film with Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving being the star. “Pepsi and Kyrie Irving are looking forward to expanding the Uncle Drew universe,” said Creators League Studios General Manager Lou Arbetter.
Pepsi released their first episode in May of 2012 after Irving finished his rookie season. In their premier, Irving dressed up as an old man, Uncle Drew, went to a park in Bloomfield, New Jersey and proceeded to sauce all over the “youngbloods” who though he had no game.
Parts one, three and four are the most viewed videos on Pepsi’s YouTube channel, having been watched over 80 million times.
Getting buckets has been Pepsi narrative through the series, and they’ve enlisted the help of other big name basketball players like Kevin Love, Nate Robinson, Ray Allen and Maya Moore to strengthen their brand. Jay Longino, one of the movie’s writers, says the plan is to continue to enlist basketball’s superstars once the film is in production.
As of now, there’s no release date, but Rovell reported that Irving, Baron Davis and J.B. Smoove are starring in a part that will air during All-Star Weekend on UncleDrew.com.
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