On March 5th Relativity media announced that it had bought the rights to "Silver or Lead," a screenplay penned by Piers Ashworth.
The script tracks the manhunt for Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and how General Hugo Martinez risked his life as the head of the elite task force responsible for bringing the godfather of the Medellin cartel to justice for his crimes.
The film's title is derived from the antagonist's famous phrase, "Plata o Plomo," meaning take his silver or take his lead.
Ashworth's script is based off Simon Strong's award-winning novel "Whitewash: Pablo Escobar and the Cocaine Wars" and was acquired by Relativity.
Enrique Urbizu is set to direct with Atmosphere Entertainment MM producing. CEO of relativity Ryan Kavanaugh and president Tucker Tooley will serve as producers on the project with Donald Kushner and Leigh Ann Burton. Atmosphere's Mark Canton and David Hopwood will co-produce.
The company has already secured Martinez's life rights, as well as those of DEA agent Joe Toft, who was also involved in the pursuit, capture and death of Escobar in 1993.
In the press release the company stated, "Relativity is proud to attract such a dynamic team to help tell Pablo Escobar's life story. We have been fans of Enrique's award-winning work and Piers' powerful script and are thrilled to have them on board. "This has been a long coveted project and we look forward to working with people who are as passionate about the story as Mark, Donald, and Leigh Ann."
The film marks the second Escobar related feature in production. Benicio del Toro is currently attached to star in "Paradise Lost" by writer/director Andrea di Stefano. The film also stars Josh Huctherson as a young surfer who falls for Escobar's niece.
Relativity last released "Safe Haven," "21 and Over" and "Movie 43."