This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/10/pablo-escobar-biopic-john-leguizamo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pablo Escobar biopic finally gets go-ahead, with John Leguizamo in lead Pablo Escobar biopic finally gets go-ahead, with John Leguizamo in lead
(8 days later)
John Leguizamo has won a high-profile role as Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in a new biopic – after paying for his own fat suit to convince hesitant investors, reports Deadline.John Leguizamo has won a high-profile role as Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in a new biopic – after paying for his own fat suit to convince hesitant investors, reports Deadline.
The 49-year-old Carlito's Way star, who boasts Colombian ancestry, will play the mobster in a film directed by The Lincoln Lawyer's Brad Furman titled King of Cocaine.The 49-year-old Carlito's Way star, who boasts Colombian ancestry, will play the mobster in a film directed by The Lincoln Lawyer's Brad Furman titled King of Cocaine.
Hollywood has been trying to make a film about the notorious Medellín cartel boss, who was shot dead in 1993, since at least 2008. Rival biopics were announced that year from Joel Carnahan and Antoine Fuqua, but neither has yet seen the light of day. Benicio Del Toro is also due to play Escobar in the forthcoming romantic comedy Paradise Lost, but the film is not a biopic.Hollywood has been trying to make a film about the notorious Medellín cartel boss, who was shot dead in 1993, since at least 2008. Rival biopics were announced that year from Joel Carnahan and Antoine Fuqua, but neither has yet seen the light of day. Benicio Del Toro is also due to play Escobar in the forthcoming romantic comedy Paradise Lost, but the film is not a biopic.
Leguizamo was so determined to win the role that he spent $15,000 of his own money on a fat suit and prosthetics in order to resemble Escobar for a screen test. Producers had wanted Inside Llewyn Davis's Oscar Isaac, but he dropped out. They then began to take Leguizamo seriously after viewing split screen footage shot by Furman of the actor and Escobar side by side.Leguizamo was so determined to win the role that he spent $15,000 of his own money on a fat suit and prosthetics in order to resemble Escobar for a screen test. Producers had wanted Inside Llewyn Davis's Oscar Isaac, but he dropped out. They then began to take Leguizamo seriously after viewing split screen footage shot by Furman of the actor and Escobar side by side.
Cocaine kingpin Escobar died on 2 December 1993 after Colombian authorities used radio triangulation technology borrowed from France to track him to a barrio in Medellín, Colombia's second largest city. After being caught in a firefight he was shot and killed by officers from the Colombian national police.Cocaine kingpin Escobar died on 2 December 1993 after Colombian authorities used radio triangulation technology borrowed from France to track him to a barrio in Medellín, Colombia's second largest city. After being caught in a firefight he was shot and killed by officers from the Colombian national police.
Escobar will shoot in Colombia this January on a $25m budget.Escobar will shoot in Colombia this January on a $25m budget.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.