Wagner Moura
Wagner Moura, pictured here at the premiere of "Elysium" will portray Pablo Escobar in the forthcoming Netflix series "Narcos." Getty Images

The story of Pablo Escobar is notorious in nearly every culture, moreso to those Latinos who remember the gritty details of the Colombian drug lord’s cocaine infused life and work. “The King of Cocaine” is regarded as one of the wealthiest criminals in the world’s history, with an estimated net worth of $25 billion in the 1990s. Though now deceased, Escobar became an infamous figure. He served as the head of the Medellin Cartel, and even a short-lived career in Colombian politics. So it should come as little surprise that 21 years after his death, people are still interested in his infamous tale, hence why yet another TV series chronicling the life and crimes of Pablo Escobar will be premiering on Netflix in 2015.

The highly anticipated series is entitled “Narcos” and will premiere on Netflix in early 2015 with a 10-episode series investigating the relationship between Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel. Netflix has found huge success with its exclusive streaming series, and the online TV provider green light the production with the addition of Brazilian actor Wagner Moura as Escobar. Moura will be reunited with his “Elite Squad” director, Jose Padilha. “Jose and Wagner together created one of the most sophisticated and chilling portraits of criminality and official corruption ever in their 'Elite Squad' movies,” said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos. “Their version of the Escobar saga will be like nothing ever seen before.”

Escbobar, along with the help of his dedicate Medellin Cartel, terrorized Colombia for decades until his death in December of 1993 when he was shot and killed in a firefight with Colombian police. His hugely successful criminal organization was funded through his production and distribution of cocaine, most of the drugs destination being the U.S. and Europe. However despite the awe inspiring details of his life at the height of his success, “Narcos” will be focusing on the early stages of his life as Pablo Escobar, the not yet title “King of Cocaine.”

"Our idea is to tell the true story of how cocaine became such a huge problem in the U.S. and Europe -- and how it all started here in Medellín," Padilha said. “Narcos” filming is set to begin soon in Escobar’s native Colombia.

© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.