20th Century Fox has teamed up with "Prometheus" director Ridley Scott to bring the story of the Mexican drug kingpin 'El Chapo' to the big screen. Based on the fictional novel "The Cartel", Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly eyed to play the ro le of a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officer.
Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's recent escape from prison might be an unfortunate event for the Mexican authorities, but it was a blissful coincidence for novelist Don Winslow who just published his latest book "The Cartel". The 61-year-old author's book is inspired by the story of the notorious drug lord. Apparently, his escape has helped not only in boosting its sales, but also catching the attention of Fox's executives. The studio has officially bought the rights of the novel after winning the bidding for over $1 million and is set to adapt the story into a feature film.
Fox has immediately set the Academy Award-winning director Ridley Scott to helm the upcoming movie adaptation. Scott is best known for his works in the 1979 sci-fi film "Alien", the 2000 epic historical drama "The Gladiator" and 2012's "Prometheus". According to the Hollywood Reporter, he will also be producing the film along with his Scott Free Films' head honcho, Michael Schaefer. Shane Salerno who co-wrote "Armageddon" and "Savages" will pen the script and will also co-produce under his banner, Story Factory.
While the line-up of helmers is already set to for the project, Scott is still reportedly asking one of the actors he wants appear in the upcoming film. Deadline reports that the casting crew is heavily courting "The Wolf of Wall Street" actor Leonardo DiCaprio to play the role of Art Keller. The said character is a DEA agent who battles it out with the lead character in the book.
Currently, the 40-year-old actor is still filming the western thriller "The Revenant" which will premiere on Christmas day. Scott on the other hand, is prepping for his upcoming sci-fi flick "The Martian" which is scheduled for a fall release.
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