Relativity Media now has the rights to the script “Silver or Lead,” which tells the story about the manhunt for cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar. Relativity Media will produce the film about the legendary criminal along with Atmosphere Entertainment MM. British writer Piers Ashworth (“Nostradamus,” “St. Trinian’s”), wrote the screenplay, which he developed from an original draft by Michael Kane. Enrique Urbizu (“No Rest for the Wicked”) will direct.
Relativity also acquired the life rights for Joe Toft, the former chief of the Bogota office of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) who was involved in the Escobar case, including the pursuit, capture and death of the Escobar. The films’s source material will come from Simon Strong’s award-winning book, “Whitewash: Pablo Escobar and the Cocaine Wars” which Relativity also acquired. The film’s title comes from a phrase Escobar made famous, “Plata or Plomo.” Either you could take Escobar’s silver, or you could be killed by him.
Here’s more information on the film:
“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”). Atmosphere’s David Hopwood (“Piranha 3D”) is co-producer.”
