‘No Rest for the Wicked’ helmer nabs Escobar film.
It has been announced that Enrique Urbizu, the Spanish filmmaker behind the gritty crime thriller ‘No Rest for the Wicked,’ has been tapped to direct ‘Silver or Lead,’ a drama based on the manhunt for cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar.
Penned by British writer Piers Ashworth (‘Nostradamus,’ ‘St. Trinian’s’) from an original draft by Michael Kane, the film focuses on the personal war between Escobar and General Hugo Martinez.
‘Silver or Lead’ – accept a bribe, or forever wear a target on your back. This is the choice that General Hugo Martinez faces when he refuses the world’s most controversial and notorious drug lord, Pablo Escobar, and his six million dollar ‘request’ for Martinez to call off his relentless pursuit. Based on true events, this thrilling, epic action drama tells the story of the ruthless, charismatic Pablo Escobar and the man who risked it all to try to bring him to justice.
Mark Canton (‘300,’ ‘Immortals’), Donald Kushner (‘TRON: Legacy,’ ‘Monster’) and Leigh Ann Burton will produce the film alongside Relativity’s CEO Ryan Kavanaugh (‘Immortals’) and President Tucker Tooley (‘The Fighter’). David Hopwood (‘Piranha 3D’) of Atmosphere Entertainment MM will co-produce.
“The story of Pablo Escobar has been one of Hollywood’s hottest properties for many years,” said Canton. “I’ve been interested in making an Escobar film since my days at Sony, but never had a project that approached the story from an angle that I felt worked. This one does, with an exciting screenplay whose structure is reminiscent of ‘The Untouchables.’ I’m pleased that Donald, Leigh Ann and I will be producing it with Relativity.”
Urbizu said, “Piers Ashworth has penned an extraordinary script that captures all the thrilling aspects of Pablo Escobar’s life while championing a classic tale of the battle between two larger than life men who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.”