Jennifer Lopez To Star In HBO Film About Drug Lord Griselda Blanco

HBO is developing a film about notorious drug lord Griselda Blanco to be played by Jennifer Lopez.

The film, from Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions and LBI Entertainment, focuses on the rise and fall of Griselda Blanco (Lopez), the drug lord known as “The Cocaine Godmother” who revolutionized the U.S. drug trade during the 1970s and 1980s and became the most powerful female cartel member of all time.

Lopez will executive produce with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas via Nuyorican Productions. Benny Medina also will executive produce with Julie Yorn and Rick Yorn for LBI Entertainment. Alex Pettyfer, Nuyorican Productions’ Priscilla Porianda and LBI Entertainment’s Patrick Walmsley will co-executive produce.

“I’ve been fascinated by the life of this corrupt and complicated woman for many years,” said Lopez. “The idea of teaming with HBO felt like the perfect fit for finally bringing Griselda’s story to life.”

Lopez stars in NBC drama Shades of Blue, recently renewed for a second season, which she executive produces with Goldsmith-Thomas and Medina.  Nuyorican Productions’ other credits include the Freeform series The Fosters and the Universal movie The Boy Next Door.

Lopez is repped by CAA.