Jennifer Lopez to play Colombian ‘godmother of cocaine’ in new film

Jennifer Lopez is taking on her most infamous role to date. The singer-actress is set to executive produce and star in a new film based on Colombia’s godmother of cocaine, Griselda Blanco, says The Hollywood Reporter. The unnamed film chronicles Blanco’s ascension and fall in the drug enterprise. 

Blanco has been dubbed “La Madrina” for revolutionizing the U.S. drug trade during the 1970s and 1980s, and was even named the female version of Tony Montana.

Lopez opened up about the role, calling Blanco a complicated woman. “I’ve been fascinated by the life of this corrupt and complicated woman for many years,” Lopez said Wednesday (Aug. 10) in a statement. “The idea of teaming with HBO felt like the perfect fit for finally bringing Griselda’s story to life.”

The Puerto Rican icon will star and executive produce through her Nuyorican Productions, alongside Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and her manager Benny Medina. The new HBO flick comes as Lopez is still in production of the second season of her NBC drama Shades of Blue, which she also executively produces.

Blanco was assassinated in 2012. She allegedly murdered her first two husbands, and became a multi-millionaire several times during her 40s.

During the peak of her operation, she was said to push 300 kilos of cocaine a month. She ordered a slew of murders during her reign, and in 1985, was sentenced to two decades in a U.S. prison before being deported back to her home country. After she was released, she allegedly lived a quiet life in Colombia’s second largest city, Medellin reports vibe.com.