New Pablo Escobar Feature Takes Flight

The Life and Death of Pablo Escobar, Medellin Cartel Godfather

"This is the Latino 'Godfather'," producer Scott Steindorff tells THR.

A new take on notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar is on its way to the big screen.

Brad Furman, who directed the spring hit The Lincoln Lawyer, is in negotiations to direct the untitled feature, while Matt Aldrich, who made a big splash in May when his spec Father Daughter Time: A Tale of Armed Robbery and Eskimo Kisses sold to Warner Bros., is writing the script.

Scott Steindorff, most recently a producer on The Lincoln Lawyer, is producing via his Stone Village Pictures.

The life of Escobar, the charismatic and murderous Colombian blood lord, has long captivated Hollywood. In recent years there were two competing projects: Escobar, which Oliver Stone was developing, and Killing Pablo, based on a Mark Bowden book, with Joe Carnahan attached to direct. Both movies have since been put on hold.

The Hollywood Reporter (complete article.)

Colombian salsa singer Arroyo dies

Colombian salsa singer Joe Arroyo

Famed Colombian singer Joe Arroyo, composer of such salsa classics as La Rebelion and Echao pa'lante and Tania. died Tuesday after a monthlong hospitalization. He was 55.

The singer, whose given name was Alvaro Jose Arroyo, died at a hospital in Barranquilla, where he was being treated for hypertension and fluid in his lungs, his manager, Luis Ojeda, told The Associated Press.

Arroyo composed some 200 songs and performed with artists including Celia Cruz and Shakira.

He first appeared in the 1970s with the orchestra Fruko y sus Tesos, and formed his own band in Medellin in 1981 called La Verdad. Two years later, he moved to Barranquilla. (complete article.)